Director-General expresses concern over alleged recent chemical attacks in Iraq

The Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü has expressed serious concerns about recent reports of possible use of chemical weapons by non-State actors in Iraq including against civilians in Taza city.

“The OPCW has taken serious note of these disturbing reports against the background of confirmed use of chemical weapons in Iraq. Any use of chemical weapons is abhorrent and a violation of universally accepted international norms”, said the Director-General.

The Director-General has offered technical assistance to Iraq in its investigation of these alleged attacks. The OPCW had recently worked with the Iraqi authorities leading to confirmation of the use of sulfur mustard in an attack in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.