Ethiopians suffer horrific burns in suspected white phosphorus attacks

Disturbing reports indicate that white phosphorus may have been used on civilians in Tigray region of Ethiopia. Weapons experts said images obtained by the Telegraph show injuries consistent with the chemical.

Leading chemical weapons experts said the footage is consistent with white phosphorus, which is not considered a chemical weapon but is banned from use against human targets under international law. 

The victims include Kisanet Gebremicheal, a 13-year-old girl from the village of Adi’ayqoro in central Tigray who suffered agonising burns when her home came under attack on April 20.

“A heavy weapon hit the house, and fire fell from the roof,” she said on the phone inbetween sobs. “It burned me immediately. It had the smell of gunpowder.”

Footage taken in hospital shortly after Ms Gebremicheal made it to the medical centre shows her dark skin entirely burnt away from her arms, legs, face and hands — all that’s left is a white and red paste of flesh and fat.

White phosphorus is a chemical that catches fire when exposed to air and burns at more than 2,700 degrees Celsius. Like the napalm used in the Vietnam War, it self-oxidises, meaning it is almost impossible to put out once it touches human skin.

The incendiary chemical lies in a legal grey zone. It can be used legally to illuminate the battlefield at night or to provide tactical smoke screens. But its use against people can be classified as a war crime under the United Nations’ Geneva Conventions.