Why don't Iraqi insurgents use chlorine gas?

centurion613

I agree with the chemical officer above.

Gas is only effective under certain conditions, by the way. It was effective in WWI only because each side was a captive audience, usually trapped in a trench where the delivery system could effectively reach a large number of people. What made chlorine gas worse was that it was heavier than air, collected in low pockets, and in some cases very, very persistent.

I guess if most of the terrorist target population was in areas where their own people wouldn't be effected, id say they would probably use it. its not hard to get, or make. again, what makes it non appealing is its lack of control: use it against the US soldiers, and you are just as likely to get quite a few of your own people as well. I don't think the terrorists would last long with their support base of the rest of the population against them.

Samantha

They did. Only heard about it a couple of times though.

ArmyChemo

They have! A couple of times. For one it is not effective is small concentrations, or in the desert nor against trained and effective troops.

There is a reason we (the U.S.) do not conduct chemical warfare any longer besides it being against international agreement. It is very ineffective against trained and equipped troops. The only real good use for chemical weapons is against a civilian population.

me? a Chemical Warfare Officer - 20 years

Edit: Oh Philip how wrong you are. You don't need anyone who knows chemistry, just how to read the placard on a rail car. How many tank cars of chlorine roll through your town everyday? One of those and a small car bomb and wham! A very nice WMD for a city. And I would be willing to venture they have more people with a chemistry/science/engineering background on their side than we do in our forces. Many, many of those guys are very educated.

Mark F

First, you have to make a distinction between the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents - not the same thing by any means.

Secondly, gas is more usually not a very effective weapon. In modern, mobile combat it is more of a terror weapon than a military one. It is also difficult to deliver. Really more bother than its worth which is why it isn't used more often.

cnqaus

Need the chlorine for their swimming pools in the paradise they've been afforded now.

Michael is tired but still Ninga

Because there is no virgins promised to suicide gasers!

Philip

Highly effective!? Half the time those things couldn't be used because the wind would blow the gas right in their faces!

And you need someone who knows chemistry. And they don't.

john

1. They prolly don't have any.

2. Chemical weapons are more broad than what the usual terrorist wants.

3. Chemical weapon usage would get every country on the planet against them.

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