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CNN Live Today
In Iraq, U.S. Troops Continue to Come Under Enemy Fire
Aired June 16, 2003 - 11:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq, U.S. troops continue to come under enemy fire, despite Operation Desert Scorpion. It was launched to root out Saddam Hussein loyalists who still are hiding there.
Our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf checks in now.
She joins us from the Iraqi capital with an update on all this -- hello, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, in the latest development, what may have been another attempted attack on U.S. soldiers, an explosion of a land mine on a major highway near what is known as the eastern gate of Baghdad. Now, that's a route that U.S. convoys go through, but it appears as if a civilian car ran over that.
We're on the scene now getting information and at least two Iraqi civilians appear to have been injured. No U.S. military casualties.
But there were some in an attempted ambush, two of them, in fact, north of Baghdad on Sunday. Central Command says in two separate attacks, RPGs, rocket propelled grenades, were thrown at a U.S. convoy. One of them hit a civilian bus that had been passing by the convoy.
Now, four U.S. soldiers appear to have been injured in those two attacks, two of them seriously. No word yet on Iraqi casualties. But the U.S. is, of course, cracking down on what it continues to call pockets of resistance -- Saddam loyalists, paramilitary and others. But it seems to be finding that those pockets are running pretty deep.
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REPEAT OF 9:02 a.m. segment
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ARRAF: Now, it's a tough spot for the U.S. military. They're not only trying to crack down, going house to house doing searches, rounding up would be attackers and suspected attackers. They're trying to do what they believe people will find good things in these cities and towns, building playgrounds, doing all sorts of things. But until they really get out and people get paid, there is more gasoline, there is more electricity, there's safety in the streets, a lot of people in Baghdad and other places will continue to blame the U.S. military -- Leon. HARRIS: Jane Arraf reporting live for us from Baghdad.
Thanks, Jane.
Take care.
We'll see you soon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired June 16, 2003 - 11:45 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq, U.S. troops continue to come under enemy fire, despite Operation Desert Scorpion. It was launched to root out Saddam Hussein loyalists who still are hiding there.
Our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf checks in now.
She joins us from the Iraqi capital with an update on all this -- hello, Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Leon.
Well, in the latest development, what may have been another attempted attack on U.S. soldiers, an explosion of a land mine on a major highway near what is known as the eastern gate of Baghdad. Now, that's a route that U.S. convoys go through, but it appears as if a civilian car ran over that.
We're on the scene now getting information and at least two Iraqi civilians appear to have been injured. No U.S. military casualties.
But there were some in an attempted ambush, two of them, in fact, north of Baghdad on Sunday. Central Command says in two separate attacks, RPGs, rocket propelled grenades, were thrown at a U.S. convoy. One of them hit a civilian bus that had been passing by the convoy.
Now, four U.S. soldiers appear to have been injured in those two attacks, two of them seriously. No word yet on Iraqi casualties. But the U.S. is, of course, cracking down on what it continues to call pockets of resistance -- Saddam loyalists, paramilitary and others. But it seems to be finding that those pockets are running pretty deep.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
REPEAT OF 9:02 a.m. segment
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ARRAF: Now, it's a tough spot for the U.S. military. They're not only trying to crack down, going house to house doing searches, rounding up would be attackers and suspected attackers. They're trying to do what they believe people will find good things in these cities and towns, building playgrounds, doing all sorts of things. But until they really get out and people get paid, there is more gasoline, there is more electricity, there's safety in the streets, a lot of people in Baghdad and other places will continue to blame the U.S. military -- Leon. HARRIS: Jane Arraf reporting live for us from Baghdad.
Thanks, Jane.
Take care.
We'll see you soon.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
