WASHINGTON
The U.S. said Monday that it is monitoring reports that Daesh militants have used chemical weapons against Kurdish forces in Syria.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. takes claims of chemical weapons use in Syria “very seriously as well as any indication of ISIL's interest and intent in using such a capability”.
“We continue to monitor these reports closely, and would further stress that any use of chemicals or biological material as weapons is completely inconsistent with international standards and norms regarding such capabilities,” said Earnest.
The Kurdish People’s Defense Units, or YPG, released a statement Friday saying that since late June 2015, Daesh “used chemical weapons against the positions of the People's Protection Units and the civilian”.
The statement goes on to outline a series of alleged incidents since June in al-Hasakah and Tel Brak.
"Upon impact, the projectiles released a yellow gas with a strong smell of rotten onions," the YPG said. "Our soldiers exposed to the gas experienced burning of the throat, eyes, and nose, combined with severe headaches, muscle pain and impaired concentration and mobility. Prolonged exposure to the chemicals also caused vomiting," it added.
