Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Sadr Supporters' Morale High in Imam Ali Mosque as Najaf Fighting Intensifies

Aired August 19, 2004 - 13:29   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: Taking a look at stories now in the news, new pictures coming in here as Iraq's prime minister gives final notice to militants in Najaf to lay down their arms. Explosions and gunshots are erupting in the city, a day after cleric Muqtada al- Sadr indicated he would disband his militia. We'll have more in a moment.
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice talks terror in Washington in a speech at the Institute of Peace. Rice says the U.S. is using Cold War techniques to teach values such as freedom and democracy in the Islamic world. The hope is that it may bring an end to Islamic-born terrorism.

The mayor of Boston is reported in good condition after being hospitalized for lower abdominal pain. Mayor Thomas Menino was admitted to a hospital overnight. We expect to learn more on his condition in about 30 minutes or so.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A final call in Baghdad in what we're being told, possibly a last stand in Najaf. These pictures just in to CNN. The question now, rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, will he choose peace or not? At this point, no, the violent standoff still continues in Najaf.

These picture just in, just outside the mosque where the fighting is taking place on the ground. Kianne Sadeq there with the troops on the ground, there within the scene. She was the one that was a part of getting this video into us.

Kianne, what can you tell us about the situation, describe it to us.

KIANNE SADEQ, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, Kyra, it was a very, very powerful day. We walked in. A group of journalists were -- we were allowed in to the Imam Ali Mosque with the help of everyone. As soon as we walked in to the mosque, we were greeted with cheers from the Mehdi Army and chants.

In fact, one of the oldest Mehdi Army fighters was on the shoulders of another. They stand, surround, cheering, cheering, cheering. They were giving chants, chanting that they will not stand down, they will not stand down from their position. They will keep fighting to defend Muqtada al-Sadr. There were, in fact, children and women there, too. Not very many of them, but there were women and children there, too, cheering with the crowd, cheering with the Mehdi Army. They were very excited to see us. They greeted us and were very excited, dancing around, dancing around, carrying posters of Muqtada al-Sadr. And the women danced around, chanted. It was incredible. There was -- it was very, very much...

PHILLIPS: Kianne, let me ask you. Let me -- Kianne, we're looking at these pictures here. We do -- we see this. But what we've been reporting is that there's gunfights going on, that people are dying, that U.S. troops are up against the Mehdi Army.

We're seeing, here, though, a lot of cheerful people outside this mosque. Can you put into perspective, is it violent? Is there shooting going on? Are people dying at the hands of this fight for control, Muqtada al-Sadr versus the new Iraqi government?

SADEQ: Yes, in fact, Kyra, you might see them happy and dancing around inside the mosque, but outside the mosque is completely different. The entire street leading to the mosque, about 150 meters, is full -- is completely destroyed, destroyed city, destroyed streets, leading to the mosque.

Mehdi Army fighters in every corner of there, they also greeted us. But in fact, while we were in the mosque and while we were outside, we heard many, many explosions of different kinds of gunfire. We heard gunfire. I can't really describe them to you because I wouldn't know exactly what they were.

But it seems general mortar fire, RPGs. There was lots of firing going on outside and it was constant. It did not stop. It was constant. As we were entering, we had a moment of pause. But once we were inside, it just started again, kept going. There was -- the city was completely destroyed. Very hard for us to get some pictures, but we managed to do so...

PHILLIPS: And Kianne, as you've talked to the people inside the mosque here, what have they told you? Why are they supporting Muqtada al-Sadr? How do they feel about U.S. troops? What do they think of Prime Minister Allawi and the challenge of getting a new government in place?

SADEQ: Well, Kyra, they are very -- they express anger towards the government. And they express to us that they were -- you know, they were not happy about this. But they were going to defend Muqtada al-Sadr. These are all from the al-Sadr movement. And they will keep defending him. They feel like this is their duty. They feel like this is what they must do.

PHILLIPS: And why are they...

SADEQ: And when we were in there...

PHILLIPS: Kianne, why are they supporting Muqtada al-Sadr? What is it about this leader that they believe is the right way when it comes to a new Iraq?

SADEQ: Well, they are all from the al-Sadr movement, Kyra. And his father, Ayatollah Mohammed al-Sadr, was a very powerful person to them, to his people here in Baghdad, and Iraq, as a matter of fact, several difference provinces. And so they are -- they believe in the al-Sadr movement and they loved his father. He was very powerful to them because they considered him a savior to them for -- during the former regime, under Saddam Hussein, for his efforts of trying to stand against Saddam.

And they found him as somewhat of a savior to them. So these people are actually following the al-Sadr movement. Muqtada al-Sadr is the son of Ayatollah Mohammed al-Sadr. And they tell us that they will stand up for him all the way.

There were -- even with all this destruction in this holy city, as you can see, Kyra, all this destruction, this is a place that is very holy to them, and to all Shiites around the world. And they are still fighting. And they are still adamant about it. And when we went in, they made it clear to us that they would not stand down.

PHILLIPS: Kianne, let me ask you...

SADEQ: They will...

PHILLIPS: As you talked to these supporter of Muqtada al-Sadr, yesterday we were talking to Ed Sanders from "The L.A. Times," and he was saying there's a tremendous anti-American sentiment that he believes, the Marines believe, those that he's embedded with, this journalist that we talked to, he said that the thought is Muqtada al- Sadr has gained momentum and gained popularity because of an anti- American sentiment.

Do you feel that? Do you see that? Is that what the people are telling you? Are they against the Americans? Is this more against U.S. government and U.S. patrols, versus supporting what Muqtada al- Sadr stands for?

SADEQ: Well, yes. They call the Americans the occupiers. That's what they are called by these people. They feel like they've been occupied and so -- to them, when they describe Americans, they call them "the occupier."

And they -- and this is what makes them feel, you know, stronger and stronger towards Muqtada al-Sadr, because he is always standing against the Americans. And they don't want to feel like they are occupied.

They are -- the sentiment seems to get stronger and stronger as all these people have come from all over the place. As a matter of fact, I've seen many of the people that are here at the Imam Ali Mosque, in Baghdad, just when I've covered Friday prayers before. And these people are here now. They've been in the mosque for about five days now. And they are not leaving.

They are supporting him all the way. They support the al-Sadr movement and Muqtada al-Sadr is the son of his father who was the starter of this movement.

And they feel like it is in their duty to fight for him. They feel like it is in their duty to defend him. They feel like they are defending the city of Najaf.

Despite all the destruction that you see, they will -- they are still cheering, feeling that they are defending their country. They are resistant. They consider themselves a resistance group and they are cheering and they are staying in the mosque.

This -- these were actually some of Muqtada al-Sadr's primary spokesmen who were inside. This was Shaikh Ali Sumaisim (ph) and we have several others who were actually inside and they greeted us. These are some of his main spokesmen who we talked to to get their news. This is Ahmed al-Shaibani (ph).

And these are people that we get news from. And they all are there as well. They all are in the mosque and they are not leaving the mosque. They -- when we talked to them and asked them how they were doing, they said they were fine and they said they were happy to be there.

And, in fact, Kyra, we saw inside that they had a room full of medical supplies. They even had some people -- they even had food inside. They even had some people wearing smocks, as if they were doctors. I cannot tell you if they were or not. But there were lots of medical supplies there.

These people were inside -- you know, are basically ready to stay there until the end. They have seen one of the holiest cities to them destroyed. But they are still there. And they are still -- they are standing on.

Once we drove up, there were American tanks. And directly after the American tanks, we saw the Mehdi Army. This is, you know, what -- we had to pass by the American checkpoint and then we had to manage to pass by the Mehdi Army and we were -- you know, we were helped by both sides to get in there because they all wanted us to see what in fact was going on.

And we talked to everyone who was there. We didn't get to talk to them very much as the situation was very tense, lots of fighting outside. So it wasn't a very good idea to be outside the mosque.

Luckily, things had calmed down as we were passing through. Once we were inside, it started up again. And then we were given a time to leave and we were told to leave -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. You're watching these pictures. CNN producer Kianne Sadeq, thank you so much, on the ground there in Najaf. This is the first time we've been able to see the other side of the story. These are pictures inside the Imam Ali Mosque there in Najaf as the fighting continues.

What you're seeing are pictures just in of the supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, that Shiite firebrand leader that has been going against the new Iraqi government. Gunfights, still continuing -- the violence with U.S. troops outside of the mosque. You see here the supporters inside.

Covering both sides of these stories for you. Once again, Kianne Sadeq, thank you so much for those pictures.

We're going to take a quick break. We want to thank our international viewers, also, for tuning in. More CNN coverage right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, 60 years ago, a worried and prayerful mother wrote a detailed diary about her three sons fighting in World War II. She also wrote hundreds of letters to them. Now, her great grandson is making music from her memories.

MARK SCHULTZ, SINGER/SONGWRITER (singing): You're good and you're brave, what a father that you'll be some day. Make it home, make it safe, she wrote every night as she prayed. And late in December...

PHILLIPS: Singer and songwriter Mark Schultz has always been good at delivering inspiring messages, but this one got the attention of the U.S. Army and thousands of its soldiers and family members. A hit on the music charts has hit home here in the U.S.

It part of the new military program called the "Be safe, make it home" campaign, educating soldiers and the public about the army's high rate of fatalities, with the hope that all men and women will come back from war alive.

Sergeant First Class David Ainslie knows about the dangers all too well, and Mark Schultz is listening. Right after the break, we're going to talk to them both.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCHULTZ (singing): And you're good, and you're brave, what a father that you'll be some day...

PHILLIPS: Now live from Nashville, the singer and songwriter of "Letters From War," Mark Schultz, and next to him, one of the heroes that he sings about, Sergeant First Class David Ainslie. Good to have you both.

David, we're going to talk about this program. Mark, we're going to talk about your song. But first of all, take us back to Iraq, David, and tell us what happened and how you were injured.

SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID AINSLIE: I was an infantry platoon sergeant during the Iraq war. And my platoon manned a checkpoint in the city of Mosul with the 101st. And while we were there, some Iraqi gunmen tried to shoot their way through our checkpoint, where I was run over by a vehicle and two of my other soldiers were shot. PHILLIPS: And Mark, you've met David -- you've met so many soldiers as you've gone from base to base and performed this song. Tell us about how it's, I guess, folded into this program to be safe and come home and this campaign that the army's doing.

SCHULTZ: Well, first, I've got to say, I notice when we met -- we have the same haircuts. But believe me, nobody's going to trust me with a firearm. I can just tell you that right now.

PHILLIPS: But with a piano, yes.

SCHULTZ: That's exactly right. Well, the interesting thing was the U.S. Safety Center heard the song, and they said, you know, this would go great with our campaign for "Be safe" just to help the soldiers out, realize how important it is they come home safe.

And I had -- you know, my great-grandmother had three sons in World War II. And growing up, I can't imagine those guys not being on the farm, the Forsberg (ph) Dairy Farm growing up, fishing with those guys, watching them do chores.

And so, I said if I can be a part of something that will bring substance, bring guys home safe to their families and keep them focused, then I want to be a part of that.

PHILLIPS: Well, David, did people understand back here at home, I mean, how dangerous it really is and how many fatalities and how many accidents happen

SCHULTZ: And so I said, if I can be a part something that will bring substance and bring guys home safe to their families and keep them focused, then I want to be a part of that.

PHILLIPS: Well, David, do people understand back here at home how dangerous it really is, and how many fatalities, and how many accidents happen on a minute-by-minute basis?

AINSLIE: Because of increased tempo, there's always the possibility of accidents do happening. And that's one of the great things about the Army, is they have a Be Safe program, not only just for soldiers, but -- while they're deployed, but when they come home as well. And I think it's fantastic that people like Mark are getting out in the community, and making the soldiers aware that they have to be more conscious not only when they're overseas and deployed, but when they're back home as well.

PHILLIPS: That's a good point. You mentioned the emotional support when they come home.

Mark, what was it like to read your great grandmother's diary and all these letters that she wrote to her sons during World War II, supporting them and saying, I'm praying for you, I want you to come home, it's going to be OK?

SCHULTZ: Right, well, you know, that's a special time, and you don't know if you're going to see your sons again. And you know, she'd say, I can't wait until ya'll come home, because I love being in the kitchen when you're all sitting around the table eating lunch. She'd just love that.

And for those guys to write back to her -- and those letters were very honest, because they didn't know if they were coming home, and to say I love everything you've done for me, and I can't wait to be home.

And when we do this show live and play this song, man, I'm telling you, if there are soldiers there, people come out of their chairs for about three minutes to celebrate these guys, because they realize the freedoms we have today go all the way back to World War II, and guys risking their lives, even giving their lives for our freedoms today. So safety's a huge issue.

PHILLIPS: David, how does it feel -- how did it feel when you were in Iraq, to get the letters, to get the e-mails, to get the packages?

AINSLIE: It was a tremendous support for all of us, knowing that the American people were behind us, just even the anonymous letters from schools, from church groups. And it was a tremendous feeling, knowing that everyone was behind us and stood behind what we were there for and basic American values.

PHILLIPS: Well, there's a part in the video, too, in addition to coming home, and what a relief it is for family and friends -- we're seeing the video now. But the part in the video, Mark, where you really point out and you see the heroism. You actually have a battle scene in your videotape. I mean, you learned a lot about people like David, didn't you, while putting this together?

SCHULTZ: yes, I did. And you know what, you try to look, and you try to say who are the heroes? And just meeting David, I mean, just hearing his storying I said, why are we doing this? This has nothing to do with me, this is about you. And he said, no, it's about the guys that are over there right now, fighting for their country.

And I think the thing that the U.S. Safety Center wants to make sure is that when guys are on post and they go home and they've got 24 hours, that when they're coming back, they've been trained to drive fast in combat, but when they're home here in the United States, to just get back safe, and that's calling out to their moms, their dads, their girlfriends, their wives, you know, to reassure them, hey, you're important to us and we need you back here after this is over with.

PHILLIPS: David, finally, last question, after getting your medal for serving in Iraq, for being injured, what was it like the first time you got home and stepped on U.S. soil?

AINSLIE: It was a tremendous experience that -- it's beyond words, just knowing that you came home safely, but when I left being medically evacuated, you felt like you'd lost part of your family, because my soldiers who I led were still there, and you kind of -- you had like an empty feeling for them, because it's all about the soldier, the soldiers come first, and you -- I didn't really feel safe, didn't feel complete, until my platoon made it safe and everyone was back on American soil.

PHILLIPS: I'll tell you what, you can go on to the Army's Web site, Be Safe, Make It Home Campaign; you can log on to it. You can also of course get Mark's CD, with "Letters of War." You'll be inspired by both.

Sergeant First Class David Ainslie and Mark Schultz, thank to both of you so much today.

AINSLIE: Thank you very much.

SCHULTZ: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right, Kyra, on to Athens now, where history and a lot of gold is being shared among an American male gymnast, as well as the American women swimming team.

Michael Holmes is in Athens to give us a little more on all this history being made.

And sorry, Michael, you don't get to play with Kyra, instead you got to play with me.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, shucks, that's fine, Fredricka. Nice to see you.

First of all, late-breaking news: Michael Phelps has won another gold medal, 200-meters individual medley. He got into the final with an Olympic record, and then broke the Olympic record again to get the gold medal. He's got the seven fastest times in this event in the world. So Phelps has got another one. He's got three gold, two bronze now, doing very well indeed.

Now Paul Hamm you mentioned, this is an amazing story; this is gymnastics. American men have not done well in gymnastics over the last few years, in fact, ever when it comes to the Olympic Games. Paul Hamm on one of his vaults actually landed and crashed into the judge's table, nearly landed in their laps apparently.

Now, then he had to go back. That meant that in the high bar, he had to get almost a perfect score. Guess what? He did. He won gold. He is the reigning world champion, but no American has ever won the all-around in men's gymnastics at the Olympics. He was perfect and, by the way, it was closest winning margin in that event ever -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Yes, 12/1000ths of a point over the South Korean, that is pretty remarkable.

All right, Michael Holmes, thanks so much, from Athens.

Well, more new video from Najaf coming up in our second hour of LIVE FROM. We'll be right back, right after this.

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 August 19, 2004 - 13:29   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Taking a look at stories now in the news, new pictures coming in here as Iraq's prime minister gives final notice to militants in Najaf to lay down their arms. Explosions and gunshots are erupting in the city, a day after cleric Muqtada al- Sadr indicated he would disband his militia. We'll have more in a moment.
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice talks terror in Washington in a speech at the Institute of Peace. Rice says the U.S. is using Cold War techniques to teach values such as freedom and democracy in the Islamic world. The hope is that it may bring an end to Islamic-born terrorism.

The mayor of Boston is reported in good condition after being hospitalized for lower abdominal pain. Mayor Thomas Menino was admitted to a hospital overnight. We expect to learn more on his condition in about 30 minutes or so.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A final call in Baghdad in what we're being told, possibly a last stand in Najaf. These pictures just in to CNN. The question now, rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, will he choose peace or not? At this point, no, the violent standoff still continues in Najaf.

These picture just in, just outside the mosque where the fighting is taking place on the ground. Kianne Sadeq there with the troops on the ground, there within the scene. She was the one that was a part of getting this video into us.

Kianne, what can you tell us about the situation, describe it to us.

KIANNE SADEQ, CNN PRODUCER: Yes, Kyra, it was a very, very powerful day. We walked in. A group of journalists were -- we were allowed in to the Imam Ali Mosque with the help of everyone. As soon as we walked in to the mosque, we were greeted with cheers from the Mehdi Army and chants.

In fact, one of the oldest Mehdi Army fighters was on the shoulders of another. They stand, surround, cheering, cheering, cheering. They were giving chants, chanting that they will not stand down, they will not stand down from their position. They will keep fighting to defend Muqtada al-Sadr. There were, in fact, children and women there, too. Not very many of them, but there were women and children there, too, cheering with the crowd, cheering with the Mehdi Army. They were very excited to see us. They greeted us and were very excited, dancing around, dancing around, carrying posters of Muqtada al-Sadr. And the women danced around, chanted. It was incredible. There was -- it was very, very much...

PHILLIPS: Kianne, let me ask you. Let me -- Kianne, we're looking at these pictures here. We do -- we see this. But what we've been reporting is that there's gunfights going on, that people are dying, that U.S. troops are up against the Mehdi Army.

We're seeing, here, though, a lot of cheerful people outside this mosque. Can you put into perspective, is it violent? Is there shooting going on? Are people dying at the hands of this fight for control, Muqtada al-Sadr versus the new Iraqi government?

SADEQ: Yes, in fact, Kyra, you might see them happy and dancing around inside the mosque, but outside the mosque is completely different. The entire street leading to the mosque, about 150 meters, is full -- is completely destroyed, destroyed city, destroyed streets, leading to the mosque.

Mehdi Army fighters in every corner of there, they also greeted us. But in fact, while we were in the mosque and while we were outside, we heard many, many explosions of different kinds of gunfire. We heard gunfire. I can't really describe them to you because I wouldn't know exactly what they were.

But it seems general mortar fire, RPGs. There was lots of firing going on outside and it was constant. It did not stop. It was constant. As we were entering, we had a moment of pause. But once we were inside, it just started again, kept going. There was -- the city was completely destroyed. Very hard for us to get some pictures, but we managed to do so...

PHILLIPS: And Kianne, as you've talked to the people inside the mosque here, what have they told you? Why are they supporting Muqtada al-Sadr? How do they feel about U.S. troops? What do they think of Prime Minister Allawi and the challenge of getting a new government in place?

SADEQ: Well, Kyra, they are very -- they express anger towards the government. And they express to us that they were -- you know, they were not happy about this. But they were going to defend Muqtada al-Sadr. These are all from the al-Sadr movement. And they will keep defending him. They feel like this is their duty. They feel like this is what they must do.

PHILLIPS: And why are they...

SADEQ: And when we were in there...

PHILLIPS: Kianne, why are they supporting Muqtada al-Sadr? What is it about this leader that they believe is the right way when it comes to a new Iraq?

SADEQ: Well, they are all from the al-Sadr movement, Kyra. And his father, Ayatollah Mohammed al-Sadr, was a very powerful person to them, to his people here in Baghdad, and Iraq, as a matter of fact, several difference provinces. And so they are -- they believe in the al-Sadr movement and they loved his father. He was very powerful to them because they considered him a savior to them for -- during the former regime, under Saddam Hussein, for his efforts of trying to stand against Saddam.

And they found him as somewhat of a savior to them. So these people are actually following the al-Sadr movement. Muqtada al-Sadr is the son of Ayatollah Mohammed al-Sadr. And they tell us that they will stand up for him all the way.

There were -- even with all this destruction in this holy city, as you can see, Kyra, all this destruction, this is a place that is very holy to them, and to all Shiites around the world. And they are still fighting. And they are still adamant about it. And when we went in, they made it clear to us that they would not stand down.

PHILLIPS: Kianne, let me ask you...

SADEQ: They will...

PHILLIPS: As you talked to these supporter of Muqtada al-Sadr, yesterday we were talking to Ed Sanders from "The L.A. Times," and he was saying there's a tremendous anti-American sentiment that he believes, the Marines believe, those that he's embedded with, this journalist that we talked to, he said that the thought is Muqtada al- Sadr has gained momentum and gained popularity because of an anti- American sentiment.

Do you feel that? Do you see that? Is that what the people are telling you? Are they against the Americans? Is this more against U.S. government and U.S. patrols, versus supporting what Muqtada al- Sadr stands for?

SADEQ: Well, yes. They call the Americans the occupiers. That's what they are called by these people. They feel like they've been occupied and so -- to them, when they describe Americans, they call them "the occupier."

And they -- and this is what makes them feel, you know, stronger and stronger towards Muqtada al-Sadr, because he is always standing against the Americans. And they don't want to feel like they are occupied.

They are -- the sentiment seems to get stronger and stronger as all these people have come from all over the place. As a matter of fact, I've seen many of the people that are here at the Imam Ali Mosque, in Baghdad, just when I've covered Friday prayers before. And these people are here now. They've been in the mosque for about five days now. And they are not leaving.

They are supporting him all the way. They support the al-Sadr movement and Muqtada al-Sadr is the son of his father who was the starter of this movement.

And they feel like it is in their duty to fight for him. They feel like it is in their duty to defend him. They feel like they are defending the city of Najaf.

Despite all the destruction that you see, they will -- they are still cheering, feeling that they are defending their country. They are resistant. They consider themselves a resistance group and they are cheering and they are staying in the mosque.

This -- these were actually some of Muqtada al-Sadr's primary spokesmen who were inside. This was Shaikh Ali Sumaisim (ph) and we have several others who were actually inside and they greeted us. These are some of his main spokesmen who we talked to to get their news. This is Ahmed al-Shaibani (ph).

And these are people that we get news from. And they all are there as well. They all are in the mosque and they are not leaving the mosque. They -- when we talked to them and asked them how they were doing, they said they were fine and they said they were happy to be there.

And, in fact, Kyra, we saw inside that they had a room full of medical supplies. They even had some people -- they even had food inside. They even had some people wearing smocks, as if they were doctors. I cannot tell you if they were or not. But there were lots of medical supplies there.

These people were inside -- you know, are basically ready to stay there until the end. They have seen one of the holiest cities to them destroyed. But they are still there. And they are still -- they are standing on.

Once we drove up, there were American tanks. And directly after the American tanks, we saw the Mehdi Army. This is, you know, what -- we had to pass by the American checkpoint and then we had to manage to pass by the Mehdi Army and we were -- you know, we were helped by both sides to get in there because they all wanted us to see what in fact was going on.

And we talked to everyone who was there. We didn't get to talk to them very much as the situation was very tense, lots of fighting outside. So it wasn't a very good idea to be outside the mosque.

Luckily, things had calmed down as we were passing through. Once we were inside, it started up again. And then we were given a time to leave and we were told to leave -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. You're watching these pictures. CNN producer Kianne Sadeq, thank you so much, on the ground there in Najaf. This is the first time we've been able to see the other side of the story. These are pictures inside the Imam Ali Mosque there in Najaf as the fighting continues.

What you're seeing are pictures just in of the supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, that Shiite firebrand leader that has been going against the new Iraqi government. Gunfights, still continuing -- the violence with U.S. troops outside of the mosque. You see here the supporters inside.

Covering both sides of these stories for you. Once again, Kianne Sadeq, thank you so much for those pictures.

We're going to take a quick break. We want to thank our international viewers, also, for tuning in. More CNN coverage right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, 60 years ago, a worried and prayerful mother wrote a detailed diary about her three sons fighting in World War II. She also wrote hundreds of letters to them. Now, her great grandson is making music from her memories.

MARK SCHULTZ, SINGER/SONGWRITER (singing): You're good and you're brave, what a father that you'll be some day. Make it home, make it safe, she wrote every night as she prayed. And late in December...

PHILLIPS: Singer and songwriter Mark Schultz has always been good at delivering inspiring messages, but this one got the attention of the U.S. Army and thousands of its soldiers and family members. A hit on the music charts has hit home here in the U.S.

It part of the new military program called the "Be safe, make it home" campaign, educating soldiers and the public about the army's high rate of fatalities, with the hope that all men and women will come back from war alive.

Sergeant First Class David Ainslie knows about the dangers all too well, and Mark Schultz is listening. Right after the break, we're going to talk to them both.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCHULTZ (singing): And you're good, and you're brave, what a father that you'll be some day...

PHILLIPS: Now live from Nashville, the singer and songwriter of "Letters From War," Mark Schultz, and next to him, one of the heroes that he sings about, Sergeant First Class David Ainslie. Good to have you both.

David, we're going to talk about this program. Mark, we're going to talk about your song. But first of all, take us back to Iraq, David, and tell us what happened and how you were injured.

SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID AINSLIE: I was an infantry platoon sergeant during the Iraq war. And my platoon manned a checkpoint in the city of Mosul with the 101st. And while we were there, some Iraqi gunmen tried to shoot their way through our checkpoint, where I was run over by a vehicle and two of my other soldiers were shot. PHILLIPS: And Mark, you've met David -- you've met so many soldiers as you've gone from base to base and performed this song. Tell us about how it's, I guess, folded into this program to be safe and come home and this campaign that the army's doing.

SCHULTZ: Well, first, I've got to say, I notice when we met -- we have the same haircuts. But believe me, nobody's going to trust me with a firearm. I can just tell you that right now.

PHILLIPS: But with a piano, yes.

SCHULTZ: That's exactly right. Well, the interesting thing was the U.S. Safety Center heard the song, and they said, you know, this would go great with our campaign for "Be safe" just to help the soldiers out, realize how important it is they come home safe.

And I had -- you know, my great-grandmother had three sons in World War II. And growing up, I can't imagine those guys not being on the farm, the Forsberg (ph) Dairy Farm growing up, fishing with those guys, watching them do chores.

And so, I said if I can be a part of something that will bring substance, bring guys home safe to their families and keep them focused, then I want to be a part of that.

PHILLIPS: Well, David, did people understand back here at home, I mean, how dangerous it really is and how many fatalities and how many accidents happen

SCHULTZ: And so I said, if I can be a part something that will bring substance and bring guys home safe to their families and keep them focused, then I want to be a part of that.

PHILLIPS: Well, David, do people understand back here at home how dangerous it really is, and how many fatalities, and how many accidents happen on a minute-by-minute basis?

AINSLIE: Because of increased tempo, there's always the possibility of accidents do happening. And that's one of the great things about the Army, is they have a Be Safe program, not only just for soldiers, but -- while they're deployed, but when they come home as well. And I think it's fantastic that people like Mark are getting out in the community, and making the soldiers aware that they have to be more conscious not only when they're overseas and deployed, but when they're back home as well.

PHILLIPS: That's a good point. You mentioned the emotional support when they come home.

Mark, what was it like to read your great grandmother's diary and all these letters that she wrote to her sons during World War II, supporting them and saying, I'm praying for you, I want you to come home, it's going to be OK?

SCHULTZ: Right, well, you know, that's a special time, and you don't know if you're going to see your sons again. And you know, she'd say, I can't wait until ya'll come home, because I love being in the kitchen when you're all sitting around the table eating lunch. She'd just love that.

And for those guys to write back to her -- and those letters were very honest, because they didn't know if they were coming home, and to say I love everything you've done for me, and I can't wait to be home.

And when we do this show live and play this song, man, I'm telling you, if there are soldiers there, people come out of their chairs for about three minutes to celebrate these guys, because they realize the freedoms we have today go all the way back to World War II, and guys risking their lives, even giving their lives for our freedoms today. So safety's a huge issue.

PHILLIPS: David, how does it feel -- how did it feel when you were in Iraq, to get the letters, to get the e-mails, to get the packages?

AINSLIE: It was a tremendous support for all of us, knowing that the American people were behind us, just even the anonymous letters from schools, from church groups. And it was a tremendous feeling, knowing that everyone was behind us and stood behind what we were there for and basic American values.

PHILLIPS: Well, there's a part in the video, too, in addition to coming home, and what a relief it is for family and friends -- we're seeing the video now. But the part in the video, Mark, where you really point out and you see the heroism. You actually have a battle scene in your videotape. I mean, you learned a lot about people like David, didn't you, while putting this together?

SCHULTZ: yes, I did. And you know what, you try to look, and you try to say who are the heroes? And just meeting David, I mean, just hearing his storying I said, why are we doing this? This has nothing to do with me, this is about you. And he said, no, it's about the guys that are over there right now, fighting for their country.

And I think the thing that the U.S. Safety Center wants to make sure is that when guys are on post and they go home and they've got 24 hours, that when they're coming back, they've been trained to drive fast in combat, but when they're home here in the United States, to just get back safe, and that's calling out to their moms, their dads, their girlfriends, their wives, you know, to reassure them, hey, you're important to us and we need you back here after this is over with.

PHILLIPS: David, finally, last question, after getting your medal for serving in Iraq, for being injured, what was it like the first time you got home and stepped on U.S. soil?

AINSLIE: It was a tremendous experience that -- it's beyond words, just knowing that you came home safely, but when I left being medically evacuated, you felt like you'd lost part of your family, because my soldiers who I led were still there, and you kind of -- you had like an empty feeling for them, because it's all about the soldier, the soldiers come first, and you -- I didn't really feel safe, didn't feel complete, until my platoon made it safe and everyone was back on American soil.

PHILLIPS: I'll tell you what, you can go on to the Army's Web site, Be Safe, Make It Home Campaign; you can log on to it. You can also of course get Mark's CD, with "Letters of War." You'll be inspired by both.

Sergeant First Class David Ainslie and Mark Schultz, thank to both of you so much today.

AINSLIE: Thank you very much.

SCHULTZ: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Fred?

WHITFIELD: All right, Kyra, on to Athens now, where history and a lot of gold is being shared among an American male gymnast, as well as the American women swimming team.

Michael Holmes is in Athens to give us a little more on all this history being made.

And sorry, Michael, you don't get to play with Kyra, instead you got to play with me.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, shucks, that's fine, Fredricka. Nice to see you.

First of all, late-breaking news: Michael Phelps has won another gold medal, 200-meters individual medley. He got into the final with an Olympic record, and then broke the Olympic record again to get the gold medal. He's got the seven fastest times in this event in the world. So Phelps has got another one. He's got three gold, two bronze now, doing very well indeed.

Now Paul Hamm you mentioned, this is an amazing story; this is gymnastics. American men have not done well in gymnastics over the last few years, in fact, ever when it comes to the Olympic Games. Paul Hamm on one of his vaults actually landed and crashed into the judge's table, nearly landed in their laps apparently.

Now, then he had to go back. That meant that in the high bar, he had to get almost a perfect score. Guess what? He did. He won gold. He is the reigning world champion, but no American has ever won the all-around in men's gymnastics at the Olympics. He was perfect and, by the way, it was closest winning margin in that event ever -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Yes, 12/1000ths of a point over the South Korean, that is pretty remarkable.

All right, Michael Holmes, thanks so much, from Athens.

Well, more new video from Najaf coming up in our second hour of LIVE FROM. We'll be right back, right after this.

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