Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — The International Atomic Energy Agency has acknowledged that nuclear material was stolen by Al Qaida in Iraq.

IAEA has been informed by the Baghdad government of an Al Qaida raid of a nuclear site in northern Iraq.

The UN nuclear energy agency was told that “terrorist group,” believed to be linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, seized nuclear material from Mosul University.

“The agency is aware of the notification from Iraq and is in contact to
seek further details,” IAEA spokeswoman Gill Tudor said on July 10.

This marked the second weapons of mass destruction site seized by ISIL in northern Iraq. Earlier, Iraq reported that ISIL captured a former chemical weapons facility at Muthana, which a decade ago contained traces of sarin.

IAEA has played down the significance of the takeover of Mosul University’s nuclear research department. The agency, which provided no details, said the material taken by ISIL would not endanger anybody.

“On the basis of the initial information we believe the material
involved is low-grade and would not present a significant safety, security
or nuclear proliferation risk,” Tudor said.

  ‘Terrorist group’ seized nuclear material from Iraq’s Mosul University, Gill Tudor, IAEA, IAEA confirms, ISIL