Terrifying news broke during CNN’s The Lead on Wednesday, as details of a chemical weapon attack against US troops at Qayyara Air Base in Iraq became known. “We do have some breaking news coming into CNN at this minute,” announced a concerned Jake Tapper, “US officials are telling CNN that the Pentagon suspects ISIS launched a chemical weapons attack against US and Iraqi troops.” The terrible development seemed to go unnoticed by ABC, CBS, and NBC because none of them reported it during their evening broadcasts.
According to CNN’s Barbara Starr, the attack occurred on Tuesday with the Pentagon recently informing CNN. “The most important thing, no US troops hurt in this, but some did go through decontamination as a precaution,” Starr reported, “As we speak, this chemical shell is being tested by the US military to see exactly what was in it.” “The shell landed. US troops went out to look at the shell. They saw something suspicious. They tested it and the first test came back for mustard agent. They're testing it further,” Starr explained.
In her report on CNN’s website, she noted that, “One official said the agent had "low purity" and was "poorly weaponized." A second official called it "ineffective."” Starr also mentioned that, “The US officials said they "had expected" that ISIS might try use chemical weapons as US and Iraqi forces push towards Mosul in an effort to take the city back from ISIS.” And that the US strikes mustard gas production sites when they discover them.
The only network to report the attack was Spanish-language network Univision. “The terrorist group Islamic State has used a chemical weapon against United States interests,” stated anchor Ilia Calderon, “Today it was revealed that yesterday ISIS fired a missile with mustard gas on Qayyara air base near Mosul, where American troops and Iraqi operate. No troops were hurt nor have presented any symptoms of gas inhalation.”
Transcript below:
CNN
The Lead with Jake Tapper
September 21, 2016
4:30:06 PM EasternJAKE TAPPER: We do have some breaking news coming into CNN at this minute. US officials are telling CNN that the Pentagon suspects ISIS launched a chemical weapons attack against US and Iraqi troops. Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon to tell us more. Barbara, where did this happen? What chemical agent was allegedly used? And most importantly, how are the troops doing?
BARBARA STARR: Jake, CNN is the first now to report this development. The most important thing, no US troops hurt in this, but some did go through decontamination as a precaution. It happened on Tuesday, but now, as we speak, this chemical shell is being tested by the US military to see exactly what was in it.
The shell landed on an air base in Iraq where US and Iraqi troops are operating, getting ready to fight to try to take Mosul back from ISIS. The shell landed. US troops went out to look at the shell. They saw something suspicious. They tested it and the first test came back for mustard agent. They're testing it further.
Why do they believe it’s ISIS? ISIS is up in that area, they are desperate to hold on to Mosul. They wanted to prove to the world that they have, in their view, a caliphate, an Islamic state. ISIS has used this type of mustard agent before against civilians. A lot of concern about what is happening here. US troops do have and have had protective gear against this type of attack. And again, the most important thing, Jake, no US troops exhibiting any signs of exposure to the agent. Even as the US tries to figure out exactly what did transpire here. Jake.
TAPPER: All right, Barbara Starr, thank you so much.
UNIVISION
NOTICIERO UNIVISION
9/21/16
6:39:57 PM - 6:40:16 PM EST | 19 SECSILIA CALDERON, ANCHOR, UNIVISION: The terrorist group Islamic State has used a chemical weapon against United States interests. Today it was revealed that yesterday ISIS fired a missile with mustard gas on Qayyara air base near Mosul, where American troops and Iraqi operate. No troops were hurt nor have presented any symptoms of gas inhalation.
