A rocket
fired last week at an Iraqi base where American troops are present did
not contain a chemical agent despite earlier suspicions, the U.S.
military reported Tuesday.
Extensive laboratory tests concluded that the munition did not contain mustard agent, Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a U.S. military spokesman, said.
No one was killed or injured in the Sept. 20 attack. The shell landed several hundred yards from the nearest U.S. troops.
The improvised weapon appeared to have been crudely made and fired from a rocket launcher, the military said. It was one of a small number of shells that fell on the base, according to the U.S. military.
One initial field test proved inconclusive but another test uncovered traces of sulfur mustard, a dangerous and banned substance that can cause painful burns on skin and lungs if breathed in.
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress last week the military assessed the munition contained sulfur mustard agent. His assessment was based on the information available at that time, the Pentagon said.
Extensive laboratory tests concluded that the munition did not contain mustard agent, Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a U.S. military spokesman, said.
No one was killed or injured in the Sept. 20 attack. The shell landed several hundred yards from the nearest U.S. troops.
The improvised weapon appeared to have been crudely made and fired from a rocket launcher, the military said. It was one of a small number of shells that fell on the base, according to the U.S. military.
One initial field test proved inconclusive but another test uncovered traces of sulfur mustard, a dangerous and banned substance that can cause painful burns on skin and lungs if breathed in.
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress last week the military assessed the munition contained sulfur mustard agent. His assessment was based on the information available at that time, the Pentagon said.
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