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American Morning
Look at Strategy Behind the Assault
Aired April 07, 2003 - 08:46 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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: With coalition forces reportedly in control of key facilities in Baghdad, we're going to look at just what was seized and the strategy behind the assault. From Little Rock, Arkansas, we are joined by former NATO commander General Wesley Clark, a CNN military analyst.
Good to see you again, general. Welcome back.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Nice to see, Paula. Thank you.
ZAHN: Let's talk a little bit about what we've witnessed over the last 24 hours or so, U.S. troops moving inside that perimeter wall that once sort of roped off downtown Baghdad. In addition to that, they've now seized control of a key presidential palace this morning. What is the battle plan from this point out?
CLARK: It's a strategy of opportunism, it would appear, Paula. That is to say, these are reconnaissance-led attacks. We did two reconnaissance forays through Baghdad. It was clear that the defenses were not substantial. There was limited appearance of an organized defense, some buses, some hastily laid mine fields, but no strong resistance. So for the third effort, the United States troops stormed back in, they moved deeper, they seized facilities, and they intend to hold at least for some period of time these facilities; perhaps use them as an operating base for other moves within Baghdad, probably will be reinforced. And piece by piece, take down key regime targets, identify and reduce centers of resistance and persuade the remaining Iraqi forces and militias to lay down their arms.
ZAHN: You just touched on the important question of the method of the light resistance we've seen coming from the Iraqis, small arm fire, sniper attacks, ambushes. What does that tell us about the dangers that lie ahead for coalition troops?
CLARK: Well, it says that there is plenty still of venom out there amongst some elements of the Iraqis, perhaps the Fedayeen or other groups loyal to Saddam. But that the organized military capable resistance probably has been largely defeated.
The Republican Guard forces, which were the real vanguard of the regime's military, have been heavily attacked by airpower. They've been penetrated on the ground. Soldiers have taken off their uniforms, blended back into the population. Deserted armored vehicles are being destroyed. So this is now down to sort of individual groups of infantry-like fighters resisting the American incursions. ZAHN: General, we've just got about 15 seconds left, general. What about the air campaign from this point on, particularly when you have so many U.S. troops now inside the city's perimeter?
CLARK: It will use close air support techniques, communicating with troops directly on the ground before dropping or engaging targets.
ZAHN: General Wesley Clark, you certainly can take a cue. Thanks so much. Appreciate your perspective this morning.
Back to Bill now in Kuwait City.
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 April 7, 2003 - 08:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: With coalition forces reportedly in control of key facilities in Baghdad, we're going to look at just what was seized and the strategy behind the assault. From Little Rock, Arkansas, we are joined by former NATO commander General Wesley Clark, a CNN military analyst.
Good to see you again, general. Welcome back.
GEN. WESLEY CLARK, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Nice to see, Paula. Thank you.
ZAHN: Let's talk a little bit about what we've witnessed over the last 24 hours or so, U.S. troops moving inside that perimeter wall that once sort of roped off downtown Baghdad. In addition to that, they've now seized control of a key presidential palace this morning. What is the battle plan from this point out?
CLARK: It's a strategy of opportunism, it would appear, Paula. That is to say, these are reconnaissance-led attacks. We did two reconnaissance forays through Baghdad. It was clear that the defenses were not substantial. There was limited appearance of an organized defense, some buses, some hastily laid mine fields, but no strong resistance. So for the third effort, the United States troops stormed back in, they moved deeper, they seized facilities, and they intend to hold at least for some period of time these facilities; perhaps use them as an operating base for other moves within Baghdad, probably will be reinforced. And piece by piece, take down key regime targets, identify and reduce centers of resistance and persuade the remaining Iraqi forces and militias to lay down their arms.
ZAHN: You just touched on the important question of the method of the light resistance we've seen coming from the Iraqis, small arm fire, sniper attacks, ambushes. What does that tell us about the dangers that lie ahead for coalition troops?
CLARK: Well, it says that there is plenty still of venom out there amongst some elements of the Iraqis, perhaps the Fedayeen or other groups loyal to Saddam. But that the organized military capable resistance probably has been largely defeated.
The Republican Guard forces, which were the real vanguard of the regime's military, have been heavily attacked by airpower. They've been penetrated on the ground. Soldiers have taken off their uniforms, blended back into the population. Deserted armored vehicles are being destroyed. So this is now down to sort of individual groups of infantry-like fighters resisting the American incursions. ZAHN: General, we've just got about 15 seconds left, general. What about the air campaign from this point on, particularly when you have so many U.S. troops now inside the city's perimeter?
CLARK: It will use close air support techniques, communicating with troops directly on the ground before dropping or engaging targets.
ZAHN: General Wesley Clark, you certainly can take a cue. Thanks so much. Appreciate your perspective this morning.
Back to Bill now in Kuwait City.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
