There is evidence to prove that ISIS is using chlorine gas as a chemical weapon in its battle against peshmerga forces in Iraq , Kurdish authorities have claimed . It says peshmerga forces discovered '20 gas canisters ' loaded on the back of a truck involved in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq on January 23 . The Kurdistan Region Security Council says the chemical attack took place on a road between Iraq 's second largest city of Mosul and the Syrian border . It was here that peshmerga fighters were desperately trying to seize the vital supply line used by the militants when they found the alleged weapons . Biological warfare : Kurdish authorities claim the 20 gas canisters found on board a truck involved in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq ( pictured ) is further proof of ISIS using chlorine as a chemical weapon . Revelation : The canisters ( pictured ) were found on board the truck which exploded into a cloud of yellow gas after peshmerga forces opened fire on it . Explosion : The resulting gas cloud ( pictured ) left nearby troops feeling nauseous and many had to be treated for vomiting , dizziness and general weakness . Video provided by the council revealed a truck storming down the road with white smoke pouring out of it as peshmerga soldiers opened shot at it . The footage later showed a white , billowing cloud emerging from the truck as it exploded and its remnants scattered across the area . A Kurdish official said dozens of peshmerga fighters were treated for 'dizziness , nausea , vomiting and general weakness ' after the attack . Traces of chlorine were discovered after samples of clothing and soil from the site were analysed , the Kurds claim . There have been several previous allegations that Islamic State terrorists have already used weaponised chlorine . In October , Iraqi officials claimed ISIS could have used chlorine-filled cylinders during clashes in the towns of Balad and Duluiya . And reports from the Syrian border-town of Kobani suggested the extremist group added chlorine to an arsenal that already included heavy weapons and tanks looted from captured military bases . The government said in a statement : 'The fact ISIS relies on such tactics demonstrates it has lost the initiative and is resorting to desperate measure . Evidence : Analysis of clothing and soil samples from the scene revealed traces of chlorine , Kurdish authorities claim . Dangerous : Chlorine is hazardous chemical that chokes victims and can long exposure to it can result in death . Chlorine was first used as a chemical weapon at Ypres , Belgium during the First World War to disastrous effect at a time when gas masks were not widely available . Jennifer Cole , Senior Research Fellow at defence think-tank Royal United Services Institute , told MailOnline that although chlorine can be lethal , it does appear that it 's being used to spread fear by Isis . She said : 'Chlorine is easily available from a number of industrial sources and is very hazardous – causing breathing difficulties in particular and in extreme cases prolonged exposure can kill . 'Used in roadside bombs such as this , in the open air , it disperses reasonably quickly and so appears to be intended to cause panic rather than serious harm . ' Although it has many public and industrial uses , it chokes victims to death when used as a weapon . During the Syrian civil war , a chlorine gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus in 2013 killed hundreds and nearly inspired the US to launch airstrikes against the government . The Americans and the West accused President Bashar Al-Assad 's regime for the attack , while Damascus blamed the rebels . Even Al-Qaeda in Iraq - the militant group that eventually became ISIS - used chlorine gas in a suicide attack in May 2007 . Insurgents drove tankers into three cities in Anbar province , killing two police officers and forcing over 300 Iraqi civilians and six US troops to seek treatment for gas exposure .
Peshmerga discovered '20 gas canisters ' on truck in suicide bomb attack . Troops there were treated for 'dizziness , vomiting and general weakness ' Analysis of soil and clothing revealed chlorine , Kurdish authorities claim . Footage showed white smoke coming from the truck as it was fired upon . Chlorine is a hazardous gas that chokes victims and can result in death .