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CNN Live Sunday
U.S. Military Launches Operation Ivy Serpent in Iraq
Aired July 13, 2003 - 16:06 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.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to turn now to Iraq. First there was Operation Desert Scorpion followed by Operation Sidewinder. Now U.S. forces have launched Operation Ivy Serpent. CNN's Chris Plante joins us from the Pentagon to explain this latest mission. Hello, Chris.
CHRIS PLANTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rhonda. That's right. First a little bit more of bad news today. One U.S. soldier was killed and two more wounded when their vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer in the town of ab-Diwaniyah, south of Baghdad. That bringing the total death toll for the United States in this operation -- or in the war with Iraq to 218. One hundred forty-two of those as a result of hostile fire. Seventy-six as a result of accidents and other non-hostile actions.
But as you said, the army also embarked on a new operation yesterday, similar to other operations that we've been following over the last month or so. "Operation Sidewinder" was the first. Then "Operation Peninsula Strike". Then "Operation Desert Scorpion". Now "Operation Ivy Serpent" has begun. That started yesterday.
The objective is the same as the first three operations, that is, to pursue remnants of the Ba'ath party who are still supporters of Saddam Hussein and believed to be behind the attacks on U.S. troops. There have been a significant number of attacks, rifle attacks, rocket-propelled grenade attacks on U.S. troops since President Bush declared an end to major combat operations on May 1. In fact, 31 American troops have been killed in these attacks since the end of -- the declared end, at least, of major combat operations in Iraq.
So again, U.S. forces largely with the 4th Infantry Division in and around Iraq in what is being described as the triangle where Ba'ath party officials still loyal to the regime of Saddam Hussein are believed to be operating and causing the trouble that has led to the deaths of 31 U.S. troops since May 1 -- Rhonda.
SCHAFFLER: CNN's Chris Plante reporting from the Pentagon. Thanks very much, Chris.
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 July 13, 2003 - 16:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to turn now to Iraq. First there was Operation Desert Scorpion followed by Operation Sidewinder. Now U.S. forces have launched Operation Ivy Serpent. CNN's Chris Plante joins us from the Pentagon to explain this latest mission. Hello, Chris.
CHRIS PLANTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Rhonda. That's right. First a little bit more of bad news today. One U.S. soldier was killed and two more wounded when their vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer in the town of ab-Diwaniyah, south of Baghdad. That bringing the total death toll for the United States in this operation -- or in the war with Iraq to 218. One hundred forty-two of those as a result of hostile fire. Seventy-six as a result of accidents and other non-hostile actions.
But as you said, the army also embarked on a new operation yesterday, similar to other operations that we've been following over the last month or so. "Operation Sidewinder" was the first. Then "Operation Peninsula Strike". Then "Operation Desert Scorpion". Now "Operation Ivy Serpent" has begun. That started yesterday.
The objective is the same as the first three operations, that is, to pursue remnants of the Ba'ath party who are still supporters of Saddam Hussein and believed to be behind the attacks on U.S. troops. There have been a significant number of attacks, rifle attacks, rocket-propelled grenade attacks on U.S. troops since President Bush declared an end to major combat operations on May 1. In fact, 31 American troops have been killed in these attacks since the end of -- the declared end, at least, of major combat operations in Iraq.
So again, U.S. forces largely with the 4th Infantry Division in and around Iraq in what is being described as the triangle where Ba'ath party officials still loyal to the regime of Saddam Hussein are believed to be operating and causing the trouble that has led to the deaths of 31 U.S. troops since May 1 -- Rhonda.
SCHAFFLER: CNN's Chris Plante reporting from the Pentagon. Thanks very much, Chris.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
