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CNN Sunday Morning

Two U.S. Convoys Attacked in Baghdad

Aired February 15, 2004 - 07:05   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.


JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN ANCHOR: More violence today in Iraq. Two U.S. convoys are attacked in Baghdad. Gaven Morris is our correspondent in the Iraqi capital -- Gaven?
GAVEN MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jamie, it's been a very deadly week here in Iraq. And I think most people are hoping for some sort of drop off in the coming week in that kind of violence. But as you mentioned, too, very small scale incidents to bring you up to date with here this morning.

Firstly was a gun attack on a U.S. convoy. We understand that some sort of explosion went off, as the convoy went past. And gunfire was opened up on an SUV.

AP reporting that U.S. soldiers dragged some casualties from the vehicle. No confirmation yet on the identity or the fate of the people in that attack. In the same neighborhood this morning, we're also hearing a report that an Iraqi was killed and six others wounded when American soldiers opened fire after another explosion, another suspected roadside bomb.

All of this comes just a day after that very, very deadly attack in Fallujah. There, a police station was ransacked and prisoners freed. Up to 20 people, we understand that that death toll is getting towards 25 now killed in Fallujah. And really, highlighting the seriousness of the continuing ongoing insecurity here in Iraq. Jamie?

MCINTYRE: Well, Gaven, do we know any more about who might have been responsible for yesterday's attack?

MORRIS: No, Jamie. There's been all sorts of rumors about just who might be behind this. On the ground yesterday, lots of rumors that perhaps some foreign fighters were involved. People were saying Iranians or Lebanese might have been involved.

But I can tell you this morning that all the official sources we have are downplaying those reports, both the coalition officials and also Iraqi officials at the Ministry of Interior saying they have no evidence at all that there were foreign fighters involved. They say the tactics and the methods used in that attack in Fallujah yesterday much more representative of raids -- of elements loyal to the former regime of Saddam Hussein. I believe Iraqis were behind it.

We spoke to one senior military official there this morning. And he said they have absolutely no indication that foreign fighters were involved -- Jamie? MCINTYRE: All right, thank you. CNN's Gaven Morris reporting live 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 February 15, 2004 - 07:05   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN ANCHOR: More violence today in Iraq. Two U.S. convoys are attacked in Baghdad. Gaven Morris is our correspondent in the Iraqi capital -- Gaven?
GAVEN MORRIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jamie, it's been a very deadly week here in Iraq. And I think most people are hoping for some sort of drop off in the coming week in that kind of violence. But as you mentioned, too, very small scale incidents to bring you up to date with here this morning.

Firstly was a gun attack on a U.S. convoy. We understand that some sort of explosion went off, as the convoy went past. And gunfire was opened up on an SUV.

AP reporting that U.S. soldiers dragged some casualties from the vehicle. No confirmation yet on the identity or the fate of the people in that attack. In the same neighborhood this morning, we're also hearing a report that an Iraqi was killed and six others wounded when American soldiers opened fire after another explosion, another suspected roadside bomb.

All of this comes just a day after that very, very deadly attack in Fallujah. There, a police station was ransacked and prisoners freed. Up to 20 people, we understand that that death toll is getting towards 25 now killed in Fallujah. And really, highlighting the seriousness of the continuing ongoing insecurity here in Iraq. Jamie?

MCINTYRE: Well, Gaven, do we know any more about who might have been responsible for yesterday's attack?

MORRIS: No, Jamie. There's been all sorts of rumors about just who might be behind this. On the ground yesterday, lots of rumors that perhaps some foreign fighters were involved. People were saying Iranians or Lebanese might have been involved.

But I can tell you this morning that all the official sources we have are downplaying those reports, both the coalition officials and also Iraqi officials at the Ministry of Interior saying they have no evidence at all that there were foreign fighters involved. They say the tactics and the methods used in that attack in Fallujah yesterday much more representative of raids -- of elements loyal to the former regime of Saddam Hussein. I believe Iraqis were behind it.

We spoke to one senior military official there this morning. And he said they have absolutely no indication that foreign fighters were involved -- Jamie? MCINTYRE: All right, thank you. CNN's Gaven Morris reporting live 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