ASSOCIATED PRESS
過激派組織「イスラム国」（IS）がイラクでのクルド人部隊との戦闘において、化学兵器のひとつである「マスタードガス」を使用していたことが、オランダ・ハーグにある化学兵器禁止機関（OPCW）の調査でわかった。イラクでの化学兵器使用は、フセイン政権崩壊後初めて。2月16日、BBCなどが報じた。
マスタードガスは、硫化ジクロルジエチルを使った毒ガスで、付着すると皮膚がただれ、呼吸困難で死亡することもある。純粋なものは無色無臭だが、工業製品はからしのような臭いがあることからマスタードガスの名前がついた。第1次世界大戦でドイツ軍が初めて実戦に投入した地名「イーペル」にちなんで、「イペリット」とも呼ばれる。
ロイターがOPCW関係者の話として伝えたところによると、2015年8月にクルド人自治区の中心都市アルビルでの戦闘でマスタードガスが使われたとみられる。体調が悪くなった約35人の兵士からサンプルを採取しOPCWが調べたところ、マスタードガスに対する陽性反応が見られた。
化学兵器の入手先は明らかにされていないが、シリアで入手した可能性がある。一方でイラクで調達した可能性もあることから、アメリカ情報機関が分析中だ。
アメリカ中央情報局（CIA）長官のジョン・ブレナン氏は2月14日、CBS の「60ミニッツ」に出演し、「ISは、塩素ガスやマスタードガスを、少量ながら製造する能力を有しているとCIAは考えている」とコメントしている。
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イラクと「イスラム国」
IRAQ-KURDS-CONFLICT-DISPLACED(01 of31)
A Iraqi displaced family, who fled the ongoing conflict between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, leaves after receiving food prepared by Iraqi Kurdish women on June 21, 2015, at a mosque in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(02 of31)
A displaced Iraqi girl, who fled her home due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, poses for a photo holding a young child at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(03 of31)
Displaced Iraqi girls, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, pose for a photo at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(04 of31)
Displaced Iraqis, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, walk at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(05 of31)
Displaced Iraqi children, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, walk at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(06 of31)
Displaced Iraqi children, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, play at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(07 of31)
Displaced Iraqi children, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, are seen at the Harsham refugee camp where they found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(08 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: Kurdish Peshmerga fighters run during the last week of a military training course on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
IRAQ-KURDS-UNREST-DISPLACED-CONFLICT(09 of31)
Iraqi men, who fled due to clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, walk in the Bahrka refugee camp, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 14, 2016. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-KURDS-CONFLICT-DISPLACED-EDUCATION(10 of31)
Iraqi displaced students, who fled clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, stand outside their classrooms at the Hamdaniya University for internally displaced people on January 31, 2016 in Arbil, in Iraq\'s autonomous Kurdish region. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-KURDS-CONFLICT-DISPLACED-EDUCATION(11 of31)
Iraqi displaced students, who fled clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, take a selfie as they stand outside their classrooms at the Hamdaniya University for internally displaced people on January 31, 2016 in Arbil, in Iraq\'s autonomous Kurdish region. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-KURDS-UNREST-DISPLACED-CONFLICT(12 of31)
Displaced Iraqi boys, who fled due to clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, receive haircuts at the Bahrka refugee camp, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 14, 2016. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-AID(13 of31)
Mohammed Atiq Al-Falahi (R), Secretary General of Emirates Red Crescent, hands a displaced Iraqi woman, who fled due to clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, a food aid box at the Bahrka refugee camp, where they\'re taking shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 14, 2016. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-AID(14 of31)
Displaced Iraqi women, who fled due to clashes between pro-government forces and Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, bake bread following food aid distribution by the United Arab Emirate\'s Red Crescent at the Bahrka refugee camp, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 14, 2016. / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-RELIGION-CHRISTIANITY-CHRISTMAS(15 of31)
Iraqi Christians, who fled the violence in the northern city of Mosul after Islamic State (IS) group militants took control of the area, attend a Christmas eve mass at the Syriac Catholic church in the Ashti camp in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on December 24, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-RELIGION-CHRISTIANITY-CHRISTMAS(16 of31)
Iraqi Christian children, who fled the violence in the northern city of Mosul after Islamic State (IS) group militants took control of the area, attend a Christmas eve mass at the Syriac Catholic church in the Ashti camp in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, on December 24, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED / AFP / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(17 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: Kurdish Peshmerga forces practice battlefield first aid techniques during a medical training session on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(18 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: German medics watch as Kurdish Peshmerga forces learn battlefield first aid techniques during a medical training session on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(19 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: Kurdish Peshmerga forces learn battlefield first aid techniques from a German military doctor during a medical training session on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(20 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: Kurdish Peshmerga forces watch as a German doctor teaches battlefield first aid during a medical training session on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(21 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: Kurdish Peshmerga forces learn battlefield first aid techniques from a German military doctor during a medical training session on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
Coalition Forces Train Kurdish Peshmerga Troops To Fight Against ISIL(22 of31)
ERBIL, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 03: A German military instructor steps over a trench as Kurdish Peshmerga forces take positions during the last week of a military training course on November 3, 2015 in Erbil, Iraq. The Kurdish troops, many of them frontline veterans, are rotated in for the 5-week program. Coalition forces from Europe and the United States are training Peshmerga and Iraqi Army troops in the fight against the Islamic State. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:John Moore via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-KURDS-DISPLACED(23 of31)
A displaced Iraqi woman, who fled her home due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, sits at the Harsham refugee camp where she found shelter, ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, on June 22, 2015. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-KURDS-FRANCE-DIPLOMACY-CONFLICT-DISPLACED(24 of31)
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo poses with Iraqi displaced children, who fled their homes due to attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group, as she visits on October 30, 2015 the Harsham refugee camp, located ten kilometres west of Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT-DISPLACED(25 of31)
A displaced Iraqi child from the Shabak community, who fled fighting between Islamic State (IS) group jihadists and Peshmerga fighters around the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, sleeps inside a tent at the Baharka camp, 10 kms west of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO/SAFIN HAMED / AFP / SAFIN HAMED AND - (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
IRAQ-GERMANY-CONFLICT-MILITARY-TRAINING(26 of31)
German military trainers show Kurdish Peshmerga fighters how to use machine guns at a training camp in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, on January 12, 2015. After Islamic State (IS) group militants swept federal security forces aside and drove south toward Baghdad in June, IS launched a renewed push against Kurdish forces, driving them back toward their regional capital Arbil. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
Clashes Between ISIL and Peshmerga Forces(27 of31)
ARBIL, IRAQ - JANUARY 10 : A damaged truck is seen at south of Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015. At least 40 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants and 30 Iraqi Peshmergas were allegedly killed as 42 Peshmerga fighters were injured in clashes in Kuwair village located 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015 a Peshmerga source said. (Photo by Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Clashes Between ISIL and Peshmerga Forces(28 of31)
ARBIL, IRAQ - JANUARY 10 : A member of a Peshmerga force carrying a rocket propelled-grenade (RPG) is seen in Kuwair village, Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015. At least 40 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants and 30 Iraqi Peshmergas were allegedly killed as 42 Peshmerga fighters were injured in clashes in Kuwair village located 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015 a Peshmerga source said. (Photo by Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Clashes Between ISIL and Peshmerga Forces(29 of31)
ARBIL, IRAQ - JANUARY 10 : A damaged car is seen at south of Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015. At least 40 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants and 30 Iraqi Peshmergas were allegedly killed as 42 Peshmerga fighters were injured in clashes in Kuwair village located 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Erbil city, Iraq on January 10, 2015 a Peshmerga source said. (Photo by Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
IRAQ-CONFLICT(30 of31)
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter stands guard at a position on the frontline in the Gwer district, 40 kilometres south of Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq on January 9, 2015 as they continue to battle Islamic State (IS) group fighters. IS spearheaded a major offensive in June that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad, including significant parts of Anbar. AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED (Photo credit should read SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAFIN HAMED via Getty Images)
Clashes between ISIL and Peshmerga forces in Mosul(31 of31)
MOSUL, IRAQ - JANUARY 05: A view of destroyed building during the clashes between Peshmerga forces and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to re-take the territory occupied by ISIL in Jarala village near Mosul in northern Iraq on January 05, 2015. (Photo by Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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