Short Descriptor: Recovery site of six R-400 bombs and one 155mm artillery shell.

Details:

In December 1995, six R-400 bombs with physical characteristics (markings, epoxy lining on some of the bombs) indicating biological fill were recovered by UNSCOM at this site. Also found were two LD-250 bombs, two ALD-500 bombs, one ALD-500 bomb tail, one artillery shell (see below), one 122mm rocket warhead, and one filling frame. The significance of these discoveries lies in the fact that Iraq has claimed all filling of munitions was done at Muthana.

A single 155mm artillery shell was found at Iraq's main BW production facility, Al-Hakam, recovered from the Euphrates. It was of the same type used for CW agents and contained water. Another smaller caliber shell was also found, which had been detonated. These shells were said to have been for evaluation. Four similar shells were used in a trial for the dissemination of the BW agent ricin. No further evidence has been found. It appears that these trials produced indifferent results, and they apparently were discontinued.

	Updated February 2006