Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
U.S. Soldier Killed in Baghdad Bombing
Aired November 13, 2003 - 06:01 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: Operation Iron Hammer, U.S. troops on the offensive against who? Airstrikes, raids on the ground, all targeting the guerrillas attacking coalition troops.
Live to Baghdad now and Ben Wedeman.
You're going to have more on Operation Iron Hammer, but first, some more attacks on U.S. soldiers.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF: Yes, that's right, Carol. Overnight, one U.S. soldier with the 1st Armored Division was killed and another wounded by yet another roadside bombing.
Meanwhile, we are hearing from our stringers in Fallujah that there was an attack on a U.S. convoy there. Word is that there are American casualties in that case.
And, yes, the United States is using its get-tough approach in Baghdad itself. Last night, we heard some very loud multiple explosions to the southwest of the city as Operation Iron Hammer went into effect. First of all, they apparently -- U.S. Apache attack helicopters destroyed a van from which mortars were being fired. In that instance, two people were killed inside that van, three wounded and five were captured.
All those noises you were hearing, however, appeared to have come from an AC-130 Spectre gunship that was firing and severely damaging a facility. It looks like a warehouse. According to coalition officials, this was a meeting, storage and rendezvous point for what they called "belligerent elements."
Now, meanwhile, down in Nasiriyah in the south, where that massive car bomb went off yesterday at the Italian police headquarters leaving at least 26 Iraqis and Italians dead, the Italian defense minister, Antonio Martino, walked around the scene to survey the damage, to meet with troops. And he said his tour of the devastation brought back dark memories.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO MARTINO, ITALIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: It reminded me that slightly over a month ago, I was in New York City at ground zero, and I was struck by the similarity of the impression, of my feelings. And then, I realized why. Because they are the same people. They are the people we are fighting against. And we shall not allow them to terrorize us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, the bodies of those Italians killed in yesterday's attack will be flown back to Italy tomorrow -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman reporting live for us from Baghdad.
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 November 13, 2003 - 06:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Operation Iron Hammer, U.S. troops on the offensive against who? Airstrikes, raids on the ground, all targeting the guerrillas attacking coalition troops.
Live to Baghdad now and Ben Wedeman.
You're going to have more on Operation Iron Hammer, but first, some more attacks on U.S. soldiers.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF: Yes, that's right, Carol. Overnight, one U.S. soldier with the 1st Armored Division was killed and another wounded by yet another roadside bombing.
Meanwhile, we are hearing from our stringers in Fallujah that there was an attack on a U.S. convoy there. Word is that there are American casualties in that case.
And, yes, the United States is using its get-tough approach in Baghdad itself. Last night, we heard some very loud multiple explosions to the southwest of the city as Operation Iron Hammer went into effect. First of all, they apparently -- U.S. Apache attack helicopters destroyed a van from which mortars were being fired. In that instance, two people were killed inside that van, three wounded and five were captured.
All those noises you were hearing, however, appeared to have come from an AC-130 Spectre gunship that was firing and severely damaging a facility. It looks like a warehouse. According to coalition officials, this was a meeting, storage and rendezvous point for what they called "belligerent elements."
Now, meanwhile, down in Nasiriyah in the south, where that massive car bomb went off yesterday at the Italian police headquarters leaving at least 26 Iraqis and Italians dead, the Italian defense minister, Antonio Martino, walked around the scene to survey the damage, to meet with troops. And he said his tour of the devastation brought back dark memories.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTONIO MARTINO, ITALIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: It reminded me that slightly over a month ago, I was in New York City at ground zero, and I was struck by the similarity of the impression, of my feelings. And then, I realized why. Because they are the same people. They are the people we are fighting against. And we shall not allow them to terrorize us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, the bodies of those Italians killed in yesterday's attack will be flown back to Italy tomorrow -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman reporting live for us from Baghdad.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
