ISIS might be using chemical weapons in their mortar attacks against Kurds positioned in Iraq and Syria.

Although ISIS' first alleged use of chemical substances, this is the first time it has been deployed via projectile.

According to investigators in the field, Kurdish officials and physical evidence, it is likely that ISIS is using toxic materials in their attacks directed at Kurdish positions along the vast front, according to the New York Times.

Investigators from Sahan Research and Conflict Armament Research say that ISIS is using industrial or agricultural chemicals and repurposing them as weapons.

This is not the first time that a group of militants has attempted to use chemical weapons in the region. Over 10 years ago, Sunni militants began using chlorine or old chemical warfare shells transformed into homemade bombs to attack American and Iraqi government forces. 

Kurdish forces say that militants that are affiliated with the Islamic State (also known as ISIS and ISIL) used a chlorine-based chemical attack at least once during a suicide truck attack in Iraq this year.

ISIS could be using a brand new tactic by firing mortars with chemical substances inside them. Instead of using truck bombs and stationary devices, ISIS might be firing mortars across distances.

These chemical attacks are usually less lethal than conventional attacks, but they are extremely hard to defend against and are thus are banned by most nations of the world.

The most obvious chemical attack occurred on June 21 or 22 at a Kurdish military position near Mosul Dam. A 120-millimeter chemical mortar shell hit some sandbag fortifications and caused several Kurdish fighters to become sick.

The shell was examined by investigators and it had a strong odor of chlorine, causing irritation to the eyes, throat and nose.

On July 6, more evidence of chemical weapons were discovered in the Kurdish territory of northeastern Syria.

Investigators believe that ISIS is testing traditional weapons and putting chemicals in them, creating makeshift devices to carry out attacks.

According to Reuters, the White House has been made aware of the reports that ISIS used chemical weapons and is investigating for more information. 

"We continue to monitor these reports closely," said Alistair Baskey, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, in a statement.