Reply #3: BBC Report from 2005-Only permitted where NO civilians near target area.

[mod mom]

US used white phosphorus in Iraq


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BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood says having to retract its denial is a public relations disaster for the US.

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White phosphorus is highly flammable and ignites on contact with oxygen. If the substance hits someone's body, it will burn until deprived of oxygen.

Globalsecurity.org, a defence website, says: "Phosphorus burns on the skin are deep and painful... These weapons are particularly nasty because white phosphorus continues to burn until it disappears... it could burn right down to the bone."

A spokesman at the UK Ministry of Defence said the use of white phosphorus was permitted in battle in cases where there were no civilians near the target area.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4440664.stm