BBC NEWS | Middle East | Q&A: White phosphorus

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Q&A: White phosphorus: "How did the US use it?

The US initially denied reports it had used white phosphorus as a weapon in Falluja in November 2004, saying it had been used only for illumination and laying smokescreens.


WHITE PHOSPHORUS
Spontaneously flammable chemical used for battlefield illumination
Contact with particles causes burning of skin and flesh
Use of incendiary weapons prohibited for attacking civilians (Protocol III of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons)

However, the Pentagon has now confirmed the substance was used as an 'incendiary weapon' during the assault."