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U.S. Soldiers Reportedly Will Reinforce Baghdad airport Overnight, Fend Off Continued Attacks by Iraqi Forces

Aired April 04, 2003 - 15:08   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.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, hundreds of U.S. soldiers reportedly will reinforce the Baghdad airport overnight as they fend off continued attacks by Iraqi forces. CNN's Walter Rodgers filed this report from the outskirts of Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Behind me, you're seeing a column of black smoke rising. As darkness falls here in the suburbs of Baghdad, the Iraqis once again become more active. Iraqi irregulars attacking U.S. Army positions particularly in the area of the 7th Calvary.

Smoke is probably no more than a quarter to a third mile behind me. That smoke is pouring up into the air. It appeared to be a stealthful mission by the Iraqis sneaking up on the U.S. Army unit which behind me. The Army saw it, quickly fired on regularly. But we can hear continuous booming of 120 millimeter mortars in the background, again attesting that while the U.S. Army controls the Baghdad International Airport, it does not control the hostile areas around the airport and beyond the airport and beyond the airport.

And indeed, the 7th Calvary, the unit with which I am embedded, has been receiving some rather hostile fire throughout the day. There have been periodic lulls. But again, the Iraqis are out there, sometimes in force, sometimes with tanks and armored personnel carriers. They've tried desperately to override the 7th Calvary's position, but so far with little success.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army's 7th Calvary on the outskirts of Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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




Overnight, Fend Off Continued Attacks by Iraqi Forces>


Aired April 4, 2003 - 15:08   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, hundreds of U.S. soldiers reportedly will reinforce the Baghdad airport overnight as they fend off continued attacks by Iraqi forces. CNN's Walter Rodgers filed this report from the outskirts of Baghdad.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Behind me, you're seeing a column of black smoke rising. As darkness falls here in the suburbs of Baghdad, the Iraqis once again become more active. Iraqi irregulars attacking U.S. Army positions particularly in the area of the 7th Calvary.

Smoke is probably no more than a quarter to a third mile behind me. That smoke is pouring up into the air. It appeared to be a stealthful mission by the Iraqis sneaking up on the U.S. Army unit which behind me. The Army saw it, quickly fired on regularly. But we can hear continuous booming of 120 millimeter mortars in the background, again attesting that while the U.S. Army controls the Baghdad International Airport, it does not control the hostile areas around the airport and beyond the airport and beyond the airport.

And indeed, the 7th Calvary, the unit with which I am embedded, has been receiving some rather hostile fire throughout the day. There have been periodic lulls. But again, the Iraqis are out there, sometimes in force, sometimes with tanks and armored personnel carriers. They've tried desperately to override the 7th Calvary's position, but so far with little success.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army's 7th Calvary on the outskirts of Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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




Overnight, Fend Off Continued Attacks by Iraqi Forces>