It WAS a chemical weapon...
In the ever-evolving picture of White Phosphorous use in Iraq, we're currently at: Yes it was used on humans, yes it's a chemical weapon, and no the Pentagon can't be sure that no civilians were effected.
I was even duped myself. In a post to the Mix yesterday I noted that we may need to start using more specific -- and graphic -- language to describe despicable behavior that may not technically be illegal. Like, for instance, whether WP is a chemical weapon (and therefore prohibited) or not, "flesh-melting" weapons are repugnant and should do the trick.
I was wrong. Nico writes: "A formerly classified 1995 Pentagon intelligence document titled 'Possible Use of Phosphorous Chemical' describes the use of white phosphorus by Saddam Hussein on Kurdish fighters:
IRAQ HAS POSSIBLY EMPLOYED PHOSPHOROUS CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST THE KURDISH POPULATION IN AREAS ALONG THE IRAQI-TURKISH-IRANIAN BORDERS.I know, Playing politics with munitions that mutilate humans. You're shocked. (ThinkProgress)
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