Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the leader of the Islamic State.(Photo: AP)
WASHINGTON —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>An Islamic State operative captured in Iraq has told U.S. officials that the terrorist group had plans to use mustard gas against American allies fighting them,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Defense officials said Wednesday.
The fighter, who was detained by U.S. special operations forces last month, was thought to be a chemical weapons specialist, according to the officials. The weapons were thought to be used against Kurdish forces and other U.S. allies.
The chemical weapons specialist was caught by a special “expeditionary” force of U.S. commandos sent to Iraq to conduct raids on the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS, to capture or kill key leaders and free hostages.
The detainee has helped American and allied forces learn about the Islamic State's<span style="color: Red;">*</span>response to pressure from the U.S.-led bombing campaign and offensives on the ground from Iraqi and Kurdish forces, the official said.
U.S. and allied warplanes have pounded Islamic State<span style="color: Red;">*</span>targets in Iraq and Syria since 2014.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest, citing “operational security issues,” declined to comment on the reports.
USA TODAY
Top ISIL commander targeted in U.S. airstrike in Syria
The Pentagon announced Tuesday that an airstrike Friday near Shaddadi, Syria, had targeted and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>likely killed a senior Islamic State military leader, Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili, known as “Omar the Chechen.” The Syrian-based Georgian had held top military positions within militant group, Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters.
Batirashvili had been sent to the Syrian town to bolster Islamic State<span style="color: Red;">*</span>forces after it had been dealt a series of defeats, Cook said. His loss deprives the Islamic State of a seasoned leader who had been a key recruiter of foreign fighters, he said.
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