UK admits it used harmful white phosphorus in Kenya.

Britain has admitted that its troops used dangerous missiles of white phosphorus lime during training in Kenya when the situation allowed.

Mr James Heappey, Deputy Secretary General of the Armed Forces Parliament, said the substance provided “illumination for night training as well as for smoke detection purposes”.

White phosphorus is highly toxic to humans. It can also be quite unstable. It burns as soon as it comes in contact with oxygen.

Its main function in weapons is to burn quickly and sharply. Once irritated, white phosphorus is very difficult to extinguish. It is often used in firearms by militants around the world, including the United States, to illuminate a target as part of a tracer weapon at night.