The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is reportedly testing homegrown chemicals like chloride and mustard gas on prisoners they hold in a secret jail in the Nineveh governorate, northern Iraq.

The claim was made by residents residing near the alleged prison in Al-Andalus district, who reported of their children suffering severe rashes, in addition to breathing difficulties.

The terror group has also relocated its chemical weapons laboratories to heavily-populated neighborhoods inside its stronghold of Mosul, in order to avoid being targeted by coalition airstrikes.

Locals said that ISIS fighters have recently been using houses in the al-Mohandeseen neighborhood – once a wealthy Christian quarter now taken over by ISIS – to carry out chemical experiments. Dozens of dead rabbits and dogs were spotted in the nearby rubbish containers.

The ISIS organization has seized chemical stockpiles from both Syria and Iraq and is now thought to be developing its own chemical weapons to attack its enemies. It is also widely believed that it is making use from the expertise of a considerable number of scientists who used to work for the Iraqi government under the reign of Saddam Hussein.

The jihadi group has repeatedly launched chemical attacks against the Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iraq.