British army still using illegal white phosphorus
British army’s white phosphorus habit revealed
UK troops fire controversial white phosphorus ammunition three times a year near safari resorts in east Africa, risking the health of local people.
3 August 2022
British troops fire mortars in Kenya. Shells can contain white phosphorus. (Photo: MOD)
British soldiers on training exercises in Kenya have used white phosphorus on 15 occasions since 2017, Declassified has found.
White phosphorus can cause horrific burns to human skin and multiple organ failure, with Russia facing criticism from the UK for allegedly firing it in Ukraine this April.
The British army claims its own use of white phosphorus in Kenya, which first emerged that same month, does not breach international law.
They insist UK troops never fire it at civilian targets, saving it for illumination or smoke screening purposes.
However, Britain uses the controversial munition at Archers Post, a vast area of communal land in Kenya that is frequented by farmers, children and elephants.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not draw up specific safety plans for warning Kenyan civilians that white phosphorus mortars are about to be deployed, Declassified has found.
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