WORLD IN BRIEF : IRAQ : Chemical Attack on Dissidents Reported

An Iraqi chemical attack on an enclave of Shiite dissidents has killed or injured hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians and troops, according to unconfirmed reports. The reports of a chemical weapons attack came indirectly from people fleeing across the Iraq-Iran border, an Iraqi dissident group and a British lawmaker active on behalf of the Shiites. Iraq has previously used chemical weapons against its rebel Kurds and in its 1980-88 war against Iran. An Iraqi opposition group based in Iran claimed at least 2,000 fatalities and casualties from the most recent attack. But a British official said it is unlikely that chemical weapons were used, although he added it is possible a substance called white phosphorus--not classified as a chemical weapons--may have been used.