U.S.: Militants Using Chemical Weapons

The U.S. military says it has documented 44 cases where militants in Afghanistan have used white phosphorus in attacks or where the weapons have been found in caches.

Maj. Jenny Willis says insurgents are using white phosphorus in mortar attacks and in homemade bombs.

U.S. documents show that the most recent attack where militants used white phosphorus was last Thursday, when a NATO outpost in Logar province was hit with two rounds of white phosphorus fire. Most troops in Logar are American.

White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that leaves severe chemical burns on flesh. Using it to illuminate a target or create smoke is allowed under international law, but rights groups say its use over populated areas constitutes a war crime.