US used white phosphorus in Iraq
"It was used as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants," spokesman Lt Col Barry Venable told the BBC - though not against civilians, he said.
The US had earlier said the substance - which can cause burning of the flesh - had been used only for illumination.
"How do you know you did not hit civilians with it?"
"If they're dead, they are no longer civilians."
"It was used as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants," spokesman Lt Col Barry Venable told the BBC - though not against civilians, he said.
The US had earlier said the substance - which can cause burning of the flesh - had been used only for illumination.
"How do you know you did not hit civilians with it?"
"If they're dead, they are no longer civilians."