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CNN Live At Daybreak

Two American Soldiers Killed

Aired December 26, 2003 - 06:09   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq now, two American soldiers have been killed and four others wounded in a mortar attack.
Let's get the details on that incident from our Rym Brahimi, joining us from Baghdad -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, a spokesman from the 4th Infantry Division told us that the two soldiers were killed and the four others wounded when their forward operating base was attacked by mortar on Thursday night. Now, this happened in the city of Ba'qubah, which is about an hour's drive northeast of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Also, last night we know that some -- rather, sorry, two soldiers from the multinational force were wounded when their patrol came under fire from within an improvised explosive device and a rocket propelled grenade attack, as well as small arms. Now, they were attacked in an area south of the Iraqi capital near Babylon, which is an area controlled by coalition forces.

And this morning, Fredricka, in Mosul, two U.S. soldiers were wounded. There was a gunfire between -- an exchange of fire, rather, between their patrol and the assailants. And apparently their wounds were not very serious and they were able to return to their duties.

All this at a very difficult period. You know, in the past 48 hours, Fredricka, we've just been hearing the sound of bombing on a regular basis, especially throughout the night, when we understand that Operation Iron Grip has been under way. U.S. forces trying to weed out the insurgency. But also a response from the insurgents, who had apparently planned, also, some sort of major attack in the days around Christmas in the green zone, which is where the coalition has its headquarters.

We're told that some mortar was launched in that area. The first -- the task force for the 1st Armored Division say that they captured five men that were suspected of having attacked the green zone last night -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Rym Brahimi, thank you very much.

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 December 26, 2003 - 06:09   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Iraq now, two American soldiers have been killed and four others wounded in a mortar attack.
Let's get the details on that incident from our Rym Brahimi, joining us from Baghdad -- Rym.

RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, a spokesman from the 4th Infantry Division told us that the two soldiers were killed and the four others wounded when their forward operating base was attacked by mortar on Thursday night. Now, this happened in the city of Ba'qubah, which is about an hour's drive northeast of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

Also, last night we know that some -- rather, sorry, two soldiers from the multinational force were wounded when their patrol came under fire from within an improvised explosive device and a rocket propelled grenade attack, as well as small arms. Now, they were attacked in an area south of the Iraqi capital near Babylon, which is an area controlled by coalition forces.

And this morning, Fredricka, in Mosul, two U.S. soldiers were wounded. There was a gunfire between -- an exchange of fire, rather, between their patrol and the assailants. And apparently their wounds were not very serious and they were able to return to their duties.

All this at a very difficult period. You know, in the past 48 hours, Fredricka, we've just been hearing the sound of bombing on a regular basis, especially throughout the night, when we understand that Operation Iron Grip has been under way. U.S. forces trying to weed out the insurgency. But also a response from the insurgents, who had apparently planned, also, some sort of major attack in the days around Christmas in the green zone, which is where the coalition has its headquarters.

We're told that some mortar was launched in that area. The first -- the task force for the 1st Armored Division say that they captured five men that were suspected of having attacked the green zone last night -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Rym Brahimi, thank you very much.

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