Release A050608c

1-9 FA discovers enormous cache in Zafaraniya factory

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD , Iraq – A stockpile of materials used to make explosives was discovered June 5 by 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, at a factory in Northern Zafaraniya .

The stockpile consisted of over 1,000 sub-munitions and 56,000 fuses.

It was discovered after the owner of the factory met with a Coalition forces government support team, and told them that he wanted to open his factory but needed a pile of explosives removed from it first.

Coalition Forces sent a patrol to the factory to determine the type of explosives on site.

The factory owner, who preferred not to be named, thanked the Coalition forces and said there is an overwhelming feeling amongst the Iraqi people that things are getting better.

“One by one, the citizens of this country are taking action to stop the violence,” Lt. Col. Steven Merkel, 1-9 FA commander, said.

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