MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The precautionary measure was taken when the wind started to blow toxic smoke to the Qayyarah airbase, BBC reported.
The sulphur plant in Mishraq located south of Mosul was reportedly set ablaze by Daesh terrorists two days ago.
A similar fire at the Mishraq plant lasted for weeks in 2003 and caused respiratory problems for local residents as well as damages for the environment.
On October 17, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the start of the military operation to retake Mosul from Daesh. According to local media, about 30,000 Iraqi soldiers and 4,000 Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are taking part in the operation, backed by airstrikes carried out by the US-led international coalition.
