CNN: ISIS Forms Chemical Weapons Cell in Syria

A new report suggests the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group has formed a chemical weapons cell that is situated in Syria along the Euphrates River Valley.

CNN cited a U.S. intelligence official who said the new cell brings together chemical weapons specialists from Iraq and Syria. The group has set up shop somewhere between Mayadin, Syria and al Qaim, Iraq.

The U.S. also believes the area has become ISIS's "de facto" capital as U.S.-backed forces close in on Raqqa, Syria. Rumored to be hiding somewhere in the region is ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

ISIS has used chemical weapons to attack U.S. and coalition forces more than dozen times since April alone. Those have all occurred in and around Mosul, Iraq, which Iraqi forces are still fighting to take back from ISIS.

ISIS had converted portions of the University of Mosul into a chemical weapons factory, but that was overtaken by Iraqi forces in January.

"We know they have been moving a lot of their leadership out of Raqqa, and we suspect much of their technical expertise and planning as well," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway told CNN.

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