White phosphorus, a napalm-like chemical that causes severe burns and disfigurements, was used recently by the US in Iraq against enemy combatants and near the town of Gwer in Northern Iraq.
The public affairs website DVIDS, which is linked to the Pentagon, posted images which clearly show the US Army firing white phosphorus at a group of Islamic militants in Iraq in close proximity to the town of Gwer. White phosphorus, known for its volatility and the horrific injuries it causes, is banned for use in combat and in civilian areas and failure to comply with the ban is a war crime. Under international law, white phosphorus may only be used to make smoke screens or to give signals in areas where no civilians are present.However, in the past, the US has admitted to using white phosphorus as a weapon of war despite it being illegal to do so. In 2005, a US Army publication (PDF) stated the following about its actions in Fallujah the year prior: “WP [White Phosphorus] proved to be an effective and versatile munition. We used it […] as a potent psychological weapon against the insurgents.” However, white phosphorus is neither effective nor versatile. When used, it forms a deadly chemical cloud that produces a horrific “skin-eating” sensation that kills everything within a tenth of a mile radius. Its use also explains thegrotesque birth defects that appeared following the 2004 battle for Fallujah. The US has also used white phosphorus during its ongoing “presence” in Afghanistan. It became an international issue once again in 2009 when US-led NATO forcesburned and disfigured an 8 year-old girl with white phosphorus munitions.
http://anonhq.com/us-caught-using-banned-chemical-weapon-iraq/