ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Islamic State (ISIS) weapons depot built by the group in the town of Gayara, in southern Mosul, was triggered by the group itself, killing 10 extremists, a Kurdish official has said. "On Sunday, an ISIS weapons depot named Eastern Sulfur Factory in the town of Gayara was triggered by the group due to technical failures, killing 10 militants," said Ismat Rajab, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) office in Mosul. Rajab added that "12 others were wounded, and people in nearby areas were poisoned" by the effects of the explosion and contaminated materials at the depot. Rudaw cannot confirm what weapons were being manufactured or stored at the Eastern Sulfur Factory. However, ISIS has used chemical weapons such as mustard gas, which is the common name for sulfur mustard, against forces fighting the group, including the Peshmerga. Gayara is an ISIS center for manufacturing bombs, and in the past Iraqi forces and warplanes from the US-led coalition have targeted many other weapons depots of the group in the town. On May 22, airstrikes carried out by warplanes from the US-led coalition on Gayara killed 15 militants including a senior leader. Further south, Iraqi forces continue advancing into the ISIS held town of Fallujah and the town is expected to be liberated soon, before the long anticipated battle for Mosul kicks off.
