The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has determined ISIS likely used chemical weapons in August during a battle in a Syrian town. A confidential report from the organization shows it concluded “with the utmost confidence that at least two people were exposed to sulfur mustard,” reported Reuters. The incident happened on Aug. 21 in the town of Marea. The weapons likely resulted in the death of an infant. Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder, a spokesman for US Central Command, said Nov. 6 the report shows “another reason why this group needs to be stopped.” While CENTCOM didn’t investigate the report, ISIS has publicly declared its intent to use chemical weapons, Ryder said.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.