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CNN Live At Daybreak

One U.S. Soldier Killed, Five Wounded in Three Separate Attacks

Aired October 13, 2003 - 06:02   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Target Americans or anyone who helps the USA. A U.S. soldier dies on patrol this morning -- this, on the heels of a suicide attack near a Baghdad hotel.
Live to Baghdad now and Harris Whitbeck.

Harris -- bring us up to date.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Actually, there were three separate attacks on U.S. soldiers last night. These occurred near the town of Tikrit, which is Saddam Hussein's hometown.

In one incident in which a soldier from the U.S. Army's 4th I.D. died, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle that he was traveling in as he patrolled the area near Baiji north of Tikrit apparently hit a landmine. Again, one U.S. soldier died and another soldier in that Bradley Fighting Vehicle was wounded.

In two other separate incidents, improvised explosive devices were used against military patrols and one IED exploded between two military Humvees, injuring three soldiers. And another IED hit a three-vehicle convoy, injuring one soldier.

Meanwhile, the day after a powerful explosion very near the Baghdad Hotel in central Baghdad, investigators are at the scene trying to sift through the rubble, trying to find clues as to who might be behind that attack. More than 30 people were injured during that attack. Six Iraqis were killed. And, according to a military spokesman, there were two additional persons killed, who they say were the suicide bombers.

Now, the explosion could have been a lot worse, because the car bomb that actually exploded did not reach the Baghdad Hotel. It was stopped by Iraqis at a checkpoint about 60 yards from that hotel. They fired at that car, and that is when the car blew up.

But the damage in that area was extensive. Many neighboring buildings were -- the facades of those buildings were destroyed, a lot of flying glass around there yesterday. The explosion occurred at around lunchtime, and it was a busy Baghdad street -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting live from Baghdad this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.




Attacks>


Aired October 13, 2003 - 06:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Target Americans or anyone who helps the USA. A U.S. soldier dies on patrol this morning -- this, on the heels of a suicide attack near a Baghdad hotel.
Live to Baghdad now and Harris Whitbeck.

Harris -- bring us up to date.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Actually, there were three separate attacks on U.S. soldiers last night. These occurred near the town of Tikrit, which is Saddam Hussein's hometown.

In one incident in which a soldier from the U.S. Army's 4th I.D. died, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle that he was traveling in as he patrolled the area near Baiji north of Tikrit apparently hit a landmine. Again, one U.S. soldier died and another soldier in that Bradley Fighting Vehicle was wounded.

In two other separate incidents, improvised explosive devices were used against military patrols and one IED exploded between two military Humvees, injuring three soldiers. And another IED hit a three-vehicle convoy, injuring one soldier.

Meanwhile, the day after a powerful explosion very near the Baghdad Hotel in central Baghdad, investigators are at the scene trying to sift through the rubble, trying to find clues as to who might be behind that attack. More than 30 people were injured during that attack. Six Iraqis were killed. And, according to a military spokesman, there were two additional persons killed, who they say were the suicide bombers.

Now, the explosion could have been a lot worse, because the car bomb that actually exploded did not reach the Baghdad Hotel. It was stopped by Iraqis at a checkpoint about 60 yards from that hotel. They fired at that car, and that is when the car blew up.

But the damage in that area was extensive. Many neighboring buildings were -- the facades of those buildings were destroyed, a lot of flying glass around there yesterday. The explosion occurred at around lunchtime, and it was a busy Baghdad street -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting live from Baghdad this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.




Attacks>