US using poison gas - Zarqawi

2005-09-11 20:05

Dubai - A voice recording attributed to al-Qaeda's Iraq frontman Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and posted on the internet on Sunday accused the US military of using chemical weapons in its assault on rebels in the northern town of Tal Afar.

"O nation of Islam, your enemies are using more destructive weapons including poison gas against the inhabitants of Tal Afar," the voice said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari gave the go-ahead on Friday for an all-out assault on Tal Afar by about 4 000 US and up to 6 000 Iraqi troops after days of deadly clashes failed to dislodge insurgents from the town.

The Iraqi Red Crescent said up to 7 000 families had fled the US-backed offensive.

- AFP