Villagers South of Mosul Suffer After Islamic State Sets Sulfur Plant Ablaze

Over a thousand people have been treated for breathing problems since Islamic State set a sulfur facility ablaze near Mosul last week, as the militant group attempted to repel an offensive by Iraqi forces to drive them from the city – one of their last remaining strongholds in Iraq. A toxic cloud triggered by the fire at Mishraq sulfur plant was spreading across northern and central Iraq, satellite imagery released by NASA showed.

Villagers interviewed by al-Mawsleya, south of Mosul, some of whom had masks or scarves covering their faces, discussed the effects of the smoke, described as “toxic, corrosive, and sometimes fatal” by health organizations.

“People in the area affected by the smoke said it was difficult to breathe, burned their eyes and stung their noses and throats when they inhaled it, and burned any exposed wet skin as the cloud intermittently blew over the area depending on winds,” Ben Kisling and Gordon Lubold wrote in a story for the Wall Street Journal on October 23. Credit: YouTube/al-Mawsleya