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American Morning
Getting Tough on Insurgents in Iraq
Aired November 14, 2003 - 07:32 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: On day two of Operation Iron Hammer, U.S. troops went after Iraqi insurgents on the ground and by air. CNN's Matthew chance went along last night on a patrol over Baghdad with the 2nd Airborne Cavalry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the skies, U.S. forces are bringing the fight to their attackers. Operation Iron Hammer is a mission to search and destroy suspected militants and to gather intelligence on their movements. Over the rooftops of Baghdad, our Black Hawk helicopter, equipped with night vision, follows a reconnaissance patrol. Amid the noise of the engines and the wind, we circled the city and watched.
(on camera): The purpose of Operation Iron Hammer is to crack down on the insurgents who have been carrying out increasing attacks against the U.S. and coalition forces. What we're looking for here is any kind of suspicious activity, people preparing to fire (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or rockets or plant the roadside bombs that have caused such terrible damage to the U.S. and the coalition forces in Baghdad.
So far tonight, we've seen nothing. But the insurgents are out there.
(voice-over): On the streets, U.S. troops check for weapons and explosives. In the latest U.S. raids, a former Republican Guard building was hit. Military officials say it was used by insurgents to plan attacks and to store weapons. Commanders say this latest operation is meant to show America's attackers its forces will strike back.
(on camera): Isn't there a danger that, you know, the Iraqi public could react negatively and, in fact, the level of resentment towards the U.S. forces could actually increase as a result of this?
LT. COL. ERIC NANCE, U.S. ARMY: Well, I'm sure that there is that possibility, sir. But we're very precise in the type of combat power that we apply. The clearance of fires, the mechanics that we've put in place for positive identification prior to engaging are all there to mitigate risk. And we're here to protect Iraqis and I think they will see that.
CHANCE (voice-over): By night, Baghdad appears lit by a million lights, a sign of progress in a city where electricity has been sporadic. But unless Operation Iron Hammer succeeds, security may remain in short supply.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHANCE: Commanders of Iron Hammer say this is an ongoing operation with no rigid timeframe that can be expanded or intensified according to the threat to coalition and U.S. forces. Elsewhere in the country though, we're already seeing similar tactics being adopted, a sort of countrywide policy, a toughening of policy towards insurgents. The gamble being, will this curb their activities or encourage them?
Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: All right, Matthew Chance, live in Baghdad. Thanks, Matthew.
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 November 14, 2003 - 07:32 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: On day two of Operation Iron Hammer, U.S. troops went after Iraqi insurgents on the ground and by air. CNN's Matthew chance went along last night on a patrol over Baghdad with the 2nd Airborne Cavalry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From the skies, U.S. forces are bringing the fight to their attackers. Operation Iron Hammer is a mission to search and destroy suspected militants and to gather intelligence on their movements. Over the rooftops of Baghdad, our Black Hawk helicopter, equipped with night vision, follows a reconnaissance patrol. Amid the noise of the engines and the wind, we circled the city and watched.
(on camera): The purpose of Operation Iron Hammer is to crack down on the insurgents who have been carrying out increasing attacks against the U.S. and coalition forces. What we're looking for here is any kind of suspicious activity, people preparing to fire (UNINTELLIGIBLE) or rockets or plant the roadside bombs that have caused such terrible damage to the U.S. and the coalition forces in Baghdad.
So far tonight, we've seen nothing. But the insurgents are out there.
(voice-over): On the streets, U.S. troops check for weapons and explosives. In the latest U.S. raids, a former Republican Guard building was hit. Military officials say it was used by insurgents to plan attacks and to store weapons. Commanders say this latest operation is meant to show America's attackers its forces will strike back.
(on camera): Isn't there a danger that, you know, the Iraqi public could react negatively and, in fact, the level of resentment towards the U.S. forces could actually increase as a result of this?
LT. COL. ERIC NANCE, U.S. ARMY: Well, I'm sure that there is that possibility, sir. But we're very precise in the type of combat power that we apply. The clearance of fires, the mechanics that we've put in place for positive identification prior to engaging are all there to mitigate risk. And we're here to protect Iraqis and I think they will see that.
CHANCE (voice-over): By night, Baghdad appears lit by a million lights, a sign of progress in a city where electricity has been sporadic. But unless Operation Iron Hammer succeeds, security may remain in short supply.
Matthew Chance, CNN, Baghdad.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHANCE: Commanders of Iron Hammer say this is an ongoing operation with no rigid timeframe that can be expanded or intensified according to the threat to coalition and U.S. forces. Elsewhere in the country though, we're already seeing similar tactics being adopted, a sort of countrywide policy, a toughening of policy towards insurgents. The gamble being, will this curb their activities or encourage them?
Anderson, back to you.
COOPER: All right, Matthew Chance, live in Baghdad. Thanks, Matthew.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
