Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

New Attacks Launched Against U.S. Forces

Aired October 13, 2003 - 05:04   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: Hours after the Baghdad bombing, new attacks were launched against U.S. forces.
CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the Iraqi capital with the latest developments -- good morning, Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Three separate attacks near Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, left one U.S. soldier dead and five more wounded. The U.S. soldier who died belonged to the Army's 4th Infantry Division and he died when the Bradley fighting vehicle he was using to patrol the area near Beji (ph), north of Tikrit, hit a land mine. One other soldier in that vehicle was injured.

In two other separate incidents, an improvised explosive device hit two Humvees, exploded, actually, between two military Humvees, injuring three soldiers. And another IED hit a military three vehicle convoy, injuring one soldier.

Meanwhile, investigations into yesterday's suicide bombing near the Baghdad Hotel continue. The, according to the Coalition Provisional Authority, which says that -- actually it's a military spokesman that says that there were two suicide bombers involved. Including those two suicide bombers, eight people died during Sunday's attack, which occurred at lunchtime on a busy Baghdad street. More than 30 people were treated for wounds in area hospitals. We understand some of those injured are still in hospital.

The Baghdad Hotel, which houses members of the Coalition Provisional Authority and members of Iraq's Governing Council, was not severely damaged during the attack. That is because the car bomb went off about 60 yards from the actual hotel and the U.S. military here is crediting security measures put in place with preventing what they say could have been a much tragedy -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know, Harris, to the underlying cause of this, I mean they never can seem to catch anyone because of the way the attacks are carried out. But do they know any more about who exactly is behind these attacks?

WHITBECK: Not really. There are several theories out there, and among them those set forth by General Ricardo Sanchez in that foreign, "foreign fighters" might be operating in Iraq. There have been mentions made of several well known terrorist organizations. But nothing has been pinned on them precisely. And there has -- as you know, there have been several attacks using car bombs in recent weeks. The last one was just four days after -- before the one which occurred yesterday. That one hit a police station in Sadr City, killing six people.

Now, there are investigators on the ground, investigators from the U.S. FBI, working closely with Iraqi investigators. They usually sift through what is left of these blown up vehicles, trying to trace the explosives used, which might help lead them to the people who are behind the attacks.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting live from Baghdad this morning.

And you can read more about the Baghdad bombing and view our special report on the new Iraq. Check out our Web site, cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.

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 October 13, 2003 - 05:04   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Hours after the Baghdad bombing, new attacks were launched against U.S. forces.
CNN's Harris Whitbeck is in the Iraqi capital with the latest developments -- good morning, Harris.

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Three separate attacks near Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown, left one U.S. soldier dead and five more wounded. The U.S. soldier who died belonged to the Army's 4th Infantry Division and he died when the Bradley fighting vehicle he was using to patrol the area near Beji (ph), north of Tikrit, hit a land mine. One other soldier in that vehicle was injured.

In two other separate incidents, an improvised explosive device hit two Humvees, exploded, actually, between two military Humvees, injuring three soldiers. And another IED hit a military three vehicle convoy, injuring one soldier.

Meanwhile, investigations into yesterday's suicide bombing near the Baghdad Hotel continue. The, according to the Coalition Provisional Authority, which says that -- actually it's a military spokesman that says that there were two suicide bombers involved. Including those two suicide bombers, eight people died during Sunday's attack, which occurred at lunchtime on a busy Baghdad street. More than 30 people were treated for wounds in area hospitals. We understand some of those injured are still in hospital.

The Baghdad Hotel, which houses members of the Coalition Provisional Authority and members of Iraq's Governing Council, was not severely damaged during the attack. That is because the car bomb went off about 60 yards from the actual hotel and the U.S. military here is crediting security measures put in place with preventing what they say could have been a much tragedy -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You know, Harris, to the underlying cause of this, I mean they never can seem to catch anyone because of the way the attacks are carried out. But do they know any more about who exactly is behind these attacks?

WHITBECK: Not really. There are several theories out there, and among them those set forth by General Ricardo Sanchez in that foreign, "foreign fighters" might be operating in Iraq. There have been mentions made of several well known terrorist organizations. But nothing has been pinned on them precisely. And there has -- as you know, there have been several attacks using car bombs in recent weeks. The last one was just four days after -- before the one which occurred yesterday. That one hit a police station in Sadr City, killing six people.

Now, there are investigators on the ground, investigators from the U.S. FBI, working closely with Iraqi investigators. They usually sift through what is left of these blown up vehicles, trying to trace the explosives used, which might help lead them to the people who are behind the attacks.

COSTELLO: Harris Whitbeck reporting live from Baghdad this morning.

And you can read more about the Baghdad bombing and view our special report on the new Iraq. Check out our Web site, cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.

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