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CNN Live At Daybreak
Mortar Attack Leaves One American Dead, 34 Wounded
Aired January 08, 2004 - 06:00 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: Trouble in the triangle, mortar fire at a U.S. Army base west of Baghdad. Initial reports were that 35 U.S. soldiers were wounded. This morning, we're hearing that one of those soldiers has died.
Live to Baghdad now and Karl Penhaul.
Hello -- Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
Yes, that attack took place about two hours after sundown last night. A barrage of at least six mortars slammed into the logistics base just west of Baghdad. We understand that those mortars may have been fired from up to two miles away. At least one of them scored a direct hit on the living quarters, where these soldiers were.
We've been talking to military authorities this morning. They've been giving us a breakdown. What they say is that, yes, one soldier did succumb to his wounds overnight. He died.
Of the other soldiers, we understand that up to 19 may now have returned to duty. They received treatment either on-site or in Baghdad, and have since been passed and have been released from hospital. That, though, does still leave other soldiers in hospital and receiving treatment.
As you say, again, yes, this attack occurred on the logistics base in the Sunni Triangle, and that has been the heartland of the anti-coalition resistance.
Now, just for a little bit of perspective, Carol, this attack took place just a few hours after Ambassador Paul Bremer, the coalition administrator, announced the release of up to 500 Iraqi detainees in the course of this week. These detainees, due for release, are low-level suspects in the anti-coalition operations, but none of them are suspected of violent, armed attacks on the coalition.
So far, though, none of those prisoners have been released this morning. There is expectation that in the course of the day the first of at least a group of 100 prisoners may start to be released -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul 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.
Aired January 8, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Trouble in the triangle, mortar fire at a U.S. Army base west of Baghdad. Initial reports were that 35 U.S. soldiers were wounded. This morning, we're hearing that one of those soldiers has died.
Live to Baghdad now and Karl Penhaul.
Hello -- Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Carol.
Yes, that attack took place about two hours after sundown last night. A barrage of at least six mortars slammed into the logistics base just west of Baghdad. We understand that those mortars may have been fired from up to two miles away. At least one of them scored a direct hit on the living quarters, where these soldiers were.
We've been talking to military authorities this morning. They've been giving us a breakdown. What they say is that, yes, one soldier did succumb to his wounds overnight. He died.
Of the other soldiers, we understand that up to 19 may now have returned to duty. They received treatment either on-site or in Baghdad, and have since been passed and have been released from hospital. That, though, does still leave other soldiers in hospital and receiving treatment.
As you say, again, yes, this attack occurred on the logistics base in the Sunni Triangle, and that has been the heartland of the anti-coalition resistance.
Now, just for a little bit of perspective, Carol, this attack took place just a few hours after Ambassador Paul Bremer, the coalition administrator, announced the release of up to 500 Iraqi detainees in the course of this week. These detainees, due for release, are low-level suspects in the anti-coalition operations, but none of them are suspected of violent, armed attacks on the coalition.
So far, though, none of those prisoners have been released this morning. There is expectation that in the course of the day the first of at least a group of 100 prisoners may start to be released -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Karl Penhaul 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.
