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Forces in Iraq Conduct One of Largest Raids Since Combat Declared Over
Aired December 22, 2003 - 05:32 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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. forces in Iraq have conducted one of the largest raids since combat was declared over last spring. Nearly 200 people described as terrorists or enemy personnel have been rounded up.
Let's get details now from our Rym Brahimi, who's joining us now live from Baghdad -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, in fact, these operations continue. The focus now seems to have shifted around the area of Fallujah, where we understand from reports there that there are house to house searches. Some neighborhoods have been entirely cordoned off, preventing people from getting in and out of those areas.
Overnight, a raid in the City of Ba'qubah, which is about 60 kilometers northeast from the Iraqi capital, led to the arrest, we're told of a major general from the intelligence service, who would have been coordinating some of the Fedayeen, Saddam Fedayeen activities.
And you mentioned the major operation that took place yesterday and overnight, Operation Rifles Fury, coalition officials have called it, and it's an operation in the west of the country, basically on the road towards Syria. In that operation, nearly 200 terrorists, we're told, have been captured, including what the U.S. military called 11 high level targets -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Now, Rym, some members of the Arab League are meeting in Baghdad for the first time.
What do you think that'll lead to?
BRAHIMI: Well, that's a very significant meeting. Just the presence of these Arab League, this Arab League delegation -- it's a four member delegation. And as you know, Catherine, the Arab League hasn't officially recognized the Governing Council as the legitimate government of Iraq. So it's interesting that they would be here.
My understanding is that they are going to be taken around Iraq. They're going to be taken to see mass graves, to discuss the atrocities of the past regime, but also they are supposed to meet members of the Governing Council. And we'll bring you more on that when it happens.
But certainly very significant that they're here at all -- Catherine. CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Rym.
We'll get back with you for more on that.
Thank you.
Rym Brahimi in 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
Declared Over>
Aired December 22, 2003 - 05:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. forces in Iraq have conducted one of the largest raids since combat was declared over last spring. Nearly 200 people described as terrorists or enemy personnel have been rounded up.
Let's get details now from our Rym Brahimi, who's joining us now live from Baghdad -- Rym.
RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Catherine, in fact, these operations continue. The focus now seems to have shifted around the area of Fallujah, where we understand from reports there that there are house to house searches. Some neighborhoods have been entirely cordoned off, preventing people from getting in and out of those areas.
Overnight, a raid in the City of Ba'qubah, which is about 60 kilometers northeast from the Iraqi capital, led to the arrest, we're told of a major general from the intelligence service, who would have been coordinating some of the Fedayeen, Saddam Fedayeen activities.
And you mentioned the major operation that took place yesterday and overnight, Operation Rifles Fury, coalition officials have called it, and it's an operation in the west of the country, basically on the road towards Syria. In that operation, nearly 200 terrorists, we're told, have been captured, including what the U.S. military called 11 high level targets -- Catherine.
CALLAWAY: Now, Rym, some members of the Arab League are meeting in Baghdad for the first time.
What do you think that'll lead to?
BRAHIMI: Well, that's a very significant meeting. Just the presence of these Arab League, this Arab League delegation -- it's a four member delegation. And as you know, Catherine, the Arab League hasn't officially recognized the Governing Council as the legitimate government of Iraq. So it's interesting that they would be here.
My understanding is that they are going to be taken around Iraq. They're going to be taken to see mass graves, to discuss the atrocities of the past regime, but also they are supposed to meet members of the Governing Council. And we'll bring you more on that when it happens.
But certainly very significant that they're here at all -- Catherine. CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Rym.
We'll get back with you for more on that.
Thank you.
Rym Brahimi in 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
Declared Over>
