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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports
Iraq Resistance Forces for Saddam Hussein Put up a Fight; First Pictures of American Soldiers Killed, Captured in Iraq
Aired March 23, 2003 - 17:00 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.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour, WOLF BLITZER REPORTS from Kuwait City with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.
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WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Iraqi resistance forces for Saddam Hussein put up a fight in the south.
The U.S. military says it's been a hard day.
In Baghdad, new explosions light up the night sky. This is a live picture. It's 1:00 in the morning in Iraq's capital.
We're coming to you this hour live from Kuwait City. It shares the same time zone with Baghdad but little else.
Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Kuwait City. We want to begin this hour by showing you some dramatic pictures of some of the latest fighting in Iraq, a new wave of the U.S. Shock and Awe campaign hit Baghdad Sunday night. Air strikes produced huge explosions that lit up the sky and produced giant plumes of smoke. Coalition forces are meeting resistance in Southern Iraq despite controlling large portions of the region. Overnight, they engaged in a fierce firefight with a pocket of Iraqi soldiers on the Al-Faw Peninsula. A British carrier jet was called in to end the standoff.
And in port city of Umm Qasr, the Associated Press reports street-fighting gorillas, including Baath Party paramilitary fighters.
But first, closing in on Baghdad, here's a look at where things stand around Iraq right now.
The ground war has moved closer to the center of Iraq. The 3rd Infantry is about 100 miles outside of Baghdad, potentially less than a day's march. In the capital city, more explosions overnight, and Iraqi forces set oil-filled trenches on fire in an attempt to create a smoke screen. To the south, U.S. troops run into stiff resistance. CNN's Alessio Vinci reports that coalition forces suffered casualties in fighting near Nasiriyah. On the border, coalition forces continue to battle pockets of resistance in the port City of Umm Qasr.
And British marines battled with Iraqis in the Al-Faw Peninsula after establishing a beachhead there Friday. There also was activity in the north, air strikes were reported in Mosul and against positions of what the U.S. military calls a militant Muslim group Ansar al-Islam near the Iranian border.
And even as we're reporting live from Kuwait City, once again, air raid sirens have gone off here in the Kuwaiti capital. Once again, sirens going off. This is not an unusual situation in Kuwait City, although it's been about a day or so since we've had these kinds of air raid sirens going off, usually an indication that something might be going on. In the past, there have been several false alarms. We'll continue to monitor the situation and get back to you with the latest.
In the meantime, CNN received the first pictures of American soldiers killed and captured in action in Iraq shortly after the Pentagon said that fewer than ten of its troops are missing. They later raised that number to 12. The pictures were transmitted by al- Jazeera, the Arab-language satellite network. The video was shot by state-run Iraq TV. We want to let the audience know that these pictures and the interviews are disturbing.
CNN has made a decision not to show the video of those killed and will instead use this single image with no identifiable features. In other images, it was apparent some soldiers had been shot, some of them in the forehead. We don't know their identities. Five other soldiers were also interviewed and each gave their name and home state in the United States. The Pentagon tells CNN that it is notifying the families of those captured and those who were killed.
Now the bloodiest battle yet. In and around the City of Nasiriyah in South Central Iraq, marines have been fighting with hardly any sleep. Our Alessio Vinci was with the unit during the attack and came upon the actual scene.
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ALLESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am just describing to you what I'm looking at, the charred AAV and a previous assault vehicle, basically, one of those armored personnel carriers the marines are using. And it is totally destroyed. I'd say totally charcoaled, burned down. And according to one of the eyewitnesses, this was one of the armored that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. And all this happened several hundreds of meters ahead of me.
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BLITZER: CNN's Alessio Vinci on the scene for us.
Now the latest, Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. commanders admit it was, quote "a tough day of fighting" for U.S. troops who met the stiffest resistance so far in their push to Baghdad, but the U.S. commanders also vowed that the combat losses and the taking of American prisoners of war would do nothing to change the U.S. war plan or their guarantee of U.S. victory. On day four, the fiercest fight came here in the Southern Iraqi City of An Nasiriyah, about 100 miles north of Kuwait. U.S. marines had thought the main fighting was over in An Nasiriyah, but they got a nasty surprise, U.S. commanders say, when it turned out special Republican Guard forces had infiltrated the regular Iraqi troops and were pretending to surrender and posing as civilians.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The majority of the resistance we have faced so far comes from Saddam's special security organization and the Saddam feday (ph). These are men who know they will have no role in the building of a new Iraq and they have no future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: U.S. officials describe two incidents in which in one case U.S. troops came upon Iraqi forces who were under a flag of surrender only to be subjected to an artillery barrage. In another, it appeared that there were Iraqi civilians welcoming the U.S. troops. Again, the U.S. was ambushed. A supply convoy ran into an Iraqi force when it made a wrong turn. That resulted in deaths and the capture and killing of some Americans. Some of those captured turned up later on Iraqi television. But the Pentagon says that the war plan is on track and that U.S. forces are unstoppable and will be in the Baghdad vicinity soon.
One other note, Wolf, in Afghanistan, the other place where U.S. forces are actively engaged, a U.S. air force Pave Hawk helicopter crashed today killing all six people on board as it was conducting, trying to conduct a medical evacuation mission. No indication of enemy fire. An investigation is underway -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thanks very much. And if you can hear a siren behind me here in Kuwait City, happy to report that is the all clear, meaning that any potential danger has now been removed. Once again, there were just a few minutes ago the air raid sirens suggesting there could be a problem. Right now, the all clear has sounded, meaning that that danger has gone away, which is good news for all of the people of Kuwait and Kuwait City.
The United States has warned Iraq it will be held responsible for any violations of the Geneva Conventions. The relevant paragraph of the protection of the POWs reads as follows, and I'm quoting, "prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
Here's your chance to weigh in on the war in Iraq. Our web question of the day is this, does knowing there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? More for it, more against it, feel the same? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at CNN.com/wolf. While you're there, I would like to hear from you, send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air. That's, of course, where you can read my daily online column, CNN.com/wolf.
As we told you at the top of our program, U.S. forces continue to battle pockets of resistance in the southern port City of Umm Qasr. A British pool reporter was with the troops as the action unfolded.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now we've got two to three inside the window, moving to green tacky (ph), which is clock (ph) strikes over the head as we opened fire on them.
DAVID BOWDEN, BRITISH POOL REPORTER: When this all started off, originally, it was just men with their M-16s and machine guns who ran up on to the top of this berm and started pouring fire down on that area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) right into it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brought the javelin weapon system up to bear. The first shot went a little bit long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was off. That was off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The second shot direct impact to that building. Once that building was hit, then it began -- became very apparent that there was a lot of movement in that area. We had troops start moving back and forth. We began engaging with the machine guns and just people just started popping out of everywhere.
BOWDEN: They're still trying to clear this area. There are more instructions going out now. I can't hear exactly what's being said, but you can hear for yourselves, more live firing here at Umm Qasr.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger, right now, we just got a confirmation that we've got some pop shots. I guess somebody's trying to return fire on to the tanks. Apparently, there's somebody back there, apparently, that wants to keep going.
BOWDEN: Is it still dangerous out there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As far as me at ground level with my squad, there's always a threat. I mean we don't adhere to reports from anybody that the threat has gone away. This area is secured. We're always maintaining our posture here on the platoon level to ensure that we here are always constantly ready for a fight, because it could pop up from anywhere.
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BLITZER: And these kinds of battles are anticipated to become even more intense as U.S. and British forces continue their march towards Baghdad. Let's go to Baghdad now where Iraqi police and security agents searched for what they said was a downed allied pilot along the Tigris River earlier today. The Iraqis fired automatic weapons into the reeds and the shallow water. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other U.S. military officials said there are no reports of an allied plane being shot down over Baghdad. And there are no reports of missing pilots.
At one point, the Iraqis also set fire to brush along the river. The Associated Press reports the Iraqi action was triggered after witnesses said they saw parachutes. Again, U.S. officials say there are no reports of downed allied planes and pilots. They say, all planes and pilots have been accounted for. Here are the latest confirmed number of U.S. casualties in the war on Iraq. One soldier with the 101st Airborne was killed in a grenade attack, allegedly carried out by a fellow soldier at a camp here in Kuwait. A dozen soldiers were injured, five seriously. At least two U.S. marines have been killed in combat in Iraq. And 19 coalition forces have been killed in two accidental helicopter crashes, five Americans and 14 British.
American officials describe today's fighting as tough and sharp. And the Pentagon's punishing Shock and Awe air campaign continues with absolutely no let up. With reports of missing troops, including some who may be in Iraqi hands, pilots who fly search and rescue missions also have been quite busy. CNN's Gary Tuchman is at a base near the Iraqi border here in the Persian Gulf -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, just like you in Kuwait City, we just had the sirens go off here at this air base. We saw airmen scrambling to put on their chemical suits, to put on their masks when the sirens went off. This had been the first day since the war began that they were not required to wear their chemical suits at all times. Up until today, as long as they weren't in the shower or in bed, they had to walk around with their chemical suits at all times. They just scrambled a short time ago. People put on their masks. They went into bunkers, but only there five minutes when they got the all clear and, now, everyone is out again. But most of the people we see in the background are still wearing their suits as we speak.
Right now, it's past 1:00 in the morning here in the Persian Gulf. The runways and the taxiways are still very busy. As we speak right now, you can see back there planes coming in after their missions to Iraq. They've just landed and now taxing down the taxiway. The A-10s and F-16s that are here, they will park for another day to go out on their missions. We see a lot of warplanes here. We see a lot of bombs. Being at an air base during a war is not subtle.
We talked earlier today with the winged commander here, and I'm going to have to stop talking for one minute because it gets quite loud when the aircraft passes, obviously. We talked earlier today with the wing commander, the man who is in charge of this facility. But he also goes out on missions himself, and just today, he went on two missions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first sortie this morning was on a leaflet drop, and the second sortie was a close air support sortie in support of the ground operations.
TUCHMAN: And did you drop your munitions on that particular sortie?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I did drop some munitions on that sortie
TUCHMAN: What did you actually drop?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was precision-guided munitions, laser- guided bombs.
TUCHMAN: This was to protect ground troops who were nearby at the time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was in support of folks.
TUCHMAN: Now, when you fly -- here you are, you are the leader here, so your words will be listened to very carefully. Is there an element of fear, nervousness, anxiety at all?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's truly not. I think all pilots that are here from all nations have prepared for this day. Our training is superb. I talked with the pilots before we began combat operations. I share with them that they've been trained exactly for what they need to do. There's not a threat north of here that they've not been able to train for, prepare for and will be able to defeat. And they're very well equipped for this. And I think there's an apprehension as you go north, certainly, but it's not fear.
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TUCHMAN: I think that's one of the interesting things that a lot of people probably don't realize is the variety of missions. That man flies an F-16. Those are fighter planes that carry bombs, yet, his two missions were very different. The first he dropped leaflets, the second he dropped bombs. The planes are now actually stacked up on the taxiway waiting to park. That gives you an idea.
It's like a commercial airport here on a Friday night or a Sunday night the amount of traffic we've seen. There have been more than 550 sorties in the first 48 hours of Shock and Awe. It gives you an idea if you do the math, that averages out to about 12 warplanes an hour leaving from just this one base participating in the Gulf War too. Keep in mind, there are at least 38 different locations where coalition aircraft are taking off from. Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: Gary, getting back to the sirens that went off, the alarms that went off and suggesting that there could be some sort of missile attack, you say that the troops where you are put on their full protective gear. Do they always do that whenever these air sirens go off?
TUCHMAN: Wolf, forgive me, it's so loud here. It's hard to hear your question. I think you're asking me -- we'll give you a shot of these planes again as they start moving just because it's such an unusual sight. I think you're asking me do the airmen here always put on their suits and their equipment when the sirens go off? And that's a good question, because there are two different sets of sirens in this area. There are sirens that have been installed by the Kuwaiti government. There are also sirens that have been installed by the coalition military. When the Kuwaiti government sirens go off, they don't always put on all their gear. They are instructed that if the military sirens go off, that's when it should be taken very, very seriously and they then run and put on their gear 100 percent of the time.
BLITZER: All right, Gary Tuchman, at a base near the Iraqi border here in the Persian Gulf. Gary, thanks very much.
And here's an update now on a report we brought you live yesterday. The grenade attack at the 101st Airborne Divisions Camp Pennsylvania here in Kuwait, a member of the division's 1st brigade is in custody for allegedly throwing two live grenades into the tent of fellow soldiers killing one and injuring 12 others. The army has not identified the suspect.
Another unit of the 101st, the 3rd Brigade is inside Iraq. CNN's Ryan Chilcote is with them. He is joining us now live via video phone. Ryan.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, first of all, reaction from the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade inside Iraq. They were traveling in a convoy when they learned about the attack back at Camp Pennsylvania, all of the soldiers expressing grief. A lost of the soldiers in the 3rd Brigade happened to know the soldiers that were injured in that attack, injured, I should say, and killed.
There was one soldier, of course, killed at Camp Pennsylvania. And they consider them dear friends and brothers in arms, so, obviously, a lot of grief, also, a lot of shock. As one commander put it, you know, you come here expecting to face the enemy. Expecting to face perhaps battle and injury from Iraqis. You certainly don't expect it from your own soldiers. So a lot of shock among the soldiers here with the 3rd Brigade that this could happen at the hands of one of the 101st's Airborne's own soldiers.
Now, onto the 3rd Brigade, like I said, the 103rd Brigade is now inside Iraq, an absolutely whirlwind three-day convoy here. It began three days ago at Camp New Jersey in Kuwait. It's right off the top, it got crazy. A series of four, count them, four scud alarms, four times over the course of three hours, the soldiers had to dawn their masks, go into bunkers and get out. The result, well, they all ended up in this chemical that you were talking about earlier, this chemical protective gear, the chemical protective suits. And they're still wearing them, and they were wearing them for that entire three-day convoy ride here. Makes things a bit toasty.
The one thing that really impressed me about the 101st 3rd Brigade movement here, these guys, one of the things, one of the problems with covering the 101st Airborne is they just never stop, they never stop for more than two hours over the course of three days, never stop for more than two hours on the side of the road, only stop to refuel or perhaps to change out drivers. Everything was on the go, unbelievable movement and unbelievable desire to get here as quickly as possible. People talk about the race to Baghdad. Well, I think I saw it.
Also, just unbelievably dusty. It was like being thrown into a dryer with a bunch of dust and getting thrown around. It was absolutely unbelievable. Lastly, interaction between the soldiers from the 101st Airborne and Iraqis. Well, we went through three towns. Ad the first town the interaction was quite interesting, a very warm, very welcoming reception from the Iraqis, a lot of them turning out, coming out to wave to the soldiers, to give them the thumbs up, to shout to them, the soldiers tossing out MREs back to them. Really, a warm reception.
The second town not quite that way. As one soldier put it, very eerie, they went through in the middle of the night. One of the soldiers saw a huge mural of President Saddam Hussein. They said that it had all of the ingredients of an ambush. So, the reception here both hot and cold, but that is the trip of the 101st here -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Ryan, I just want to clarify. We're now getting some additional information on the incident involving the 101st over at Camp Pennsylvania here in Kuwait. We are now being told by the U.S. military the name of the individual suspected in rolling that live hand grenade or a couple hand grenades into that tent. He's identified as one Sergeant Asan Akbar. No more information about him other than that his name, Asan Akbar. We're also being told the name of the U.S. soldier from the 101st who was killed, Christopher Scott Siefert. We'll get more information on that. We also want to update our viewers. We now have been told 15 soldiers were injured in that grenade attack at Camp Pennsylvania. The 101st.
Ryan, before I let you go, what's the latest as far as the impact that that incident has had on the fighting morale, if you will, of the troops you're with right now?
BLITZER: Yeah, well, good question. I think it has really given everyone pause to think about how this could happen. I don't think it's going to affect their morale. It's just really a sort of, if you will, a below-the-belt blow to the soldiers and to the leadership. But it is one, as one of the commanders told me today, they will deal with it. This is not something that they anticipated, but it is something that they will have to deal with. And they will have to deal with it promptly and very professionally because, you know, the 101st Airborne is now in combat, is now in Iraq. So it is something that they will simply have to deal with.
CHILCOTE: I understand that they are already preparing replacements for some of the soldiers that were wounded in that attack. The 101st Airborne's, the soldiers at Camp Pennsylvania, some of those who were injured were involved in what's called the -- were part of what's called the "Talk." That's the brigade's operation center. And they are very important to the planning and execution of operations. Still, obviously, the 101st Airborne moving quickly to help those soldiers, help their families. And, most importantly, make sure that everyone can move forward from this absolute tragedy -- Wolf.
BLITZER: It is a tragedy. It's called if, in fact, it was done by a fellow soldier, it's called fratricide, and it's something that is obviously a jolt, a very complex, a very perplexing development. Ryan Chilcote with the 101st in Iraq right now. Thanks, Ryan, for that report.
And reaction to the grenade attack has been one of shock and disbelief among family and friends at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. That's the home base of the 101st Airborne Division. CNN's David Mattingly is here and he has more -- David.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, some more information for you on that suspect. His name is Asan Akbar. He is a sergeant with the 326th engineering battalion here from Fort Campbell. His job over in Kuwait was clearing land mines and other obstructions in the battlefield, but exactly who this man is and why he may have wanted to kill officers of the 101st Airborne remains a mystery, at least it does on this end of the investigation here at Fort Campbell. The army so far unable to offer up any details about Akbar here at Fort Campbell. And not able to confirm reports that Akbar changed his name after converting to Islam. And any theories, they say, on a motive at this point are purely speculative.
But they can talk about morale on this end. They say that this definitely had an effect on soldiers in the field, but they are working through it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When somebody's firing at you, you know who the enemy is. When they're standing in the same chow line or using the same shower with you, sometimes it's hard to recognize. So it's been -- it's had a detrimental effect probably on the morale, but the soldiers went over pumped up, ready to do their mission, knowing what they were supposed to do, and they'll work their way through this. And they will continue to do their mission in the fashion that 101st soldiers have always done their mission.
MATTINGLY: And the saddest part of this, we have the identity of the soldier who was killed in that grenade attack. He was -- he's identified as Captain Christopher Scott Seifert, 27 years old. That's all the information we have on him. People here at the base say he did have a wife here at the base, but they are going to great lengths to protect her privacy and, understandably so.
In spite of that tragedy, Wolf, we talk about morale. People are finding sources of inspiration even in this tragedy. The front page of the paper here has the picture of the commander of the 1st Brigade. His arm is in a sling, his leg is bleeding after the attack, clearly wounded but still on the job. And people pointing to pictures like this for sources of inspiration through this terrible tragedy -- Wolf.
BLITZER: David Mattingly, I suspect we're going to be learning a lot more about Sergeant Asan Akbar in the coming days and weeks. David Mattingly of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, thanks very much.
Coalition forces also are advancing on the southern City of Basra. We have some pictures from the scene we want to share, but we also want to warn you, some viewers may find these pictures disturbing. These are Iraqi casualties in Basra, as taken by the Associated Press. It's not clear exactly how these people were hurt, either by coalition fire or Iraqi fire.
Iraq's information minister says 77 civilians have been killed in the battle for Basra. He also says more than 500 Iraqis in four cities were injured in air strikes yesterday. There's no independent confirmation of those numbers. And this picture was taken in Baghdad. The AP says it shows a father and son shortly after their home was seriously damaged in one of the air strikes.
Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri was in Cairo for a meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers. He had angry words for the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJI SABRI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: Those aggressors are war criminals, colonialists, war criminals, crazy people led by a crazy drunken, ignorant president like George W. Bush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLIZER: Naji Sabri, the foreign minister of Iraq still appearing in Cairo at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers.
Americans held as POWs in Iraq, see what kind of training they've received to help them stay alive.
Also, oil fires burning. U.S. marines race to secure Iraq's black gold.
And on the front lines, we'll take you on board the USS Constellation.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN's continuing war coverage. In a moment, the latest on the American POWs being held in Iraq but, first, for the latest headlines, we go back to Heidi Collins at the CNN newsroom in Atlanta -- Heidi.
(NEWS BREAK)
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Heidi.
We can now update our viewers why the air sirens were going off here in Kuwait. Only in the past few minutes, a military spokesman now saying an Iraqi missile undetermined what kind of missile was indeed intercepted by a Patriot air defense missile. No word yet on the cause, no word yet on what kind of Iraqi missile was intercepted.
So far, according to U.S. military officials, no scuds have been launched by the Iraqis, other shorter-range missiles, indeed, have been. Several of them coming here towards Kuwait. All of them either falling harmlessly into the desert or having been successfully intercepted by Patriot missiles. We'll continue to follow this story here in Kuwait.
And as we continue our coverage of the war in Iraq, let's bring everyone up to date on what CNN has been reporting over the past few hours.
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MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: 6:47 a.m. Eastern, Arabic- language networks begin airing video from Baghdad that purportedly shows Iraqi authorities searching for a downed U.S. pilot. The Pentagon later denies any U.S. or British aircraft are missing over Baghdad. The search is eventually stopped.
7:08 a.m. Eastern, CNN's Barbara Starr says the Pentagon confirms a British Tornado aircraft was accidentally shot down Saturday by a U.S. Patriot missile as it returned from a mission over Iraq. Recovery efforts are underway. But hope of finding survivors is dwindling.
8:09 Eastern, CNN's Walt Rodgers embedded with the 3rd Squadron 7th Cavalry reports soldiers are telling him Iraqis are using women and children as human shields around military installations. An hour later, he reports his unit has taken heavy fire that injured one soldier as the squadron continues moving toward Baghdad.
10:06 Eastern, CNN's Alessio Vinci with a marine unit in Southern Iraq reports heavy fighting and some casualties near Nasiriyah.
11:03 a.m., Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr reports the military has begun contacting families of up to ten members of an army maintenance unit, some of whom were captured, some of whom killed near Nasiriyah.
11:33 a.m., Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer following the airing of interviews of American POWs on Iraqi TV that Iraq is violating the Geneva Conventions with that video.
2:00 p.m., U.S. military leaders say American troops defeated Iraqi forces at Nasiriyah, but they say ten U.S. soldiers were killed and 12 were reported missing after Iraqis ambushed a supply convoy.
2:30 p.m. Eastern time, 10:30 in Baghdad, huge explosions are heard and buildings are set ablaze in the Iraqi capital, apparently, from a new wave of air strikes. Miles O'Brien, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: As the reality of war and U.S. casualties sets in, many Americans are becoming more entrenched in their positions on the war in Iraq, both for and against. CNN's Maria Hinojosa joins me now live from New York with more on this national debate -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, usually here in Times Square, we've been seeing anti-war protestors, but today in Times Qquare, what could you say is members of the silent majority, 76 percent of Americans say they'll support this war. But, today, only about 1,000 or so came out to the streets to show their support for the troops. But yesterday, there were anywhere from 150 to 250,000 marching through midtown saying they were against the war. Just another weekend round of protests as this war appears to become more complicated with every day that passes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (voice-over): Today in Washington, it was the veterans marching, a quiet plea for peace.
DEMONSTRATORS: God, bless America.
HINOJOSA: While in New York, civilians loudly cheering on the war. Emotions erupting on both sides as more bombs fell and the troops advanced. And the bombing intensified both the war and the national debate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess we're looking at the ultimate reality show.
HINOJOSA: With images this Sunday that are painfully real, civilians injured in wartime conflict, real injuries in a real war, the bodies of American troops on display on Al-Jazeera television, prompting a mixture of difficult emotions here at home.
Grom those are relatives in the war zone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very serious. My husband is in the National Guard and is waiting to go overseas right now. So, we're definitely very concerned, but things need to get done.
HINOJOSA: From the site of the World Trade Center attack.
CHARLES WOLF, HUSBAND, 9/11 VICTIM: If we had taken this attitude before 9/11 with the previous things like the Cole and the '93 bombing, we may have a couple of big buildings standing here, and I'd have my wife still.
HINOJOSA: From those who have been to war.
TAYLOR ORUTI (PH): And I think that the diplomacy pretty much failed in the beginning. And I believe that Saddam Hussein is a threat to the world. But the method that we're going about removing him from the current situation that he's in by invading another country is, you know, there's other methods of dealing with the situation. It's a lot easier to support it when it's going well. And it's a lot harder to support it when we're taking casualties.
HINOJOSA: And those resigned to the war's price.
MARK MCINTYRE, ATLANTA RESIDENT: I think it's tragic for the loss of lives over there, but sometimes we do have to do certain things. Sometimes war is just something that you just have to do. HINJOSA (on camera): As the war moves into the coming weeks, both anti-war and pro-war organizations are trying to figure out what to do to continue to get their constituents out on to the streets. But, Wolf, there may be just a few days now when people decide that they have to stay indoors to learn how to deal with their own shock as the reality of this wars more and more prevalent -- Wolf.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Maria Hinojosa. Thanks very much, Maria, for that report. Earlier today, I spoke with the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. I asked him about the prisoners of war pictures broadcast earlier in the day on Iraqi TV.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUMSFELD: Been reports throughout the morning here in it the East coast to the effect that some U.S. soldiers were unaccounted for. Whether the ones that are being shown on that particular station or not, that network, are those individuals, I'm not in a position to say. We do know that the Geneva Convention makes it illegal for prisoners of war to be shown and pictured and humiliated. And it's something that the United States does not do. And needless to say, television networks that carry such pictures are, I would say, doing something that's unfortunate.
BLITZER: On the other hand, you could argue, some would make the case that at least their family members are seeing them, seeing them alive, even if they're not in the best of conditions, they could get some comfort from seeing these videotaped pictures.
RUMSFELD: You can make that argument if you wish.
BLITZER: But what I hear you saying is you're urging all worldwide news organizations, television networks, not to broadcast these images of these American POWs?
RUMSFELD: What I'm saying is that it's a violation of the Geneva Convention for the Iraqis to be, if, in fact, that's what's taking place, to be showing prisoners of war in a humiliating manner.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The Geneva Conventions, by the way, consist of four international treaties covering a variety of issues, including the treatment of prisoners of war. Senior political analyst Bill Schneider is joining us now from the CNN newsroom in Atlanta. Bill, what is the legal issue that the defense secretary is referring to?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: He's referring to the fact that countries cannot deal with prisoners of war as they see fit. There are rules. There are in the four Geneva Conventions. They were signed and written in 1949, 160 nations signed those conventions, including the United States and Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld was complaining those rules have been violated.
BLITZER: And Bill, what about the protections of the Geneva Conventions, what do they specifically offer prisoners of war?
SCHNEIDER: There are four kinds of protections offered by those Conventions. The first is humane treatment. Prisoners of war are protected against torture, intimidation, insult and public curiosity. The public display of prisoners of war is prohibited. Second, questioning, when questioned, prisoners must give their names, ranks, birth dates and serial numbers.
They can't be threatened or mistreated if they refuse to answer questions. Prisoners may not be used as human shields against an enemy attack. And, finally, prisoners may not be punished for acts committed during the fighting. If any of those rules are violated, it can, as the president said, be treated as a war crime -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Bill Schneider, thanks very much.
Not all troops receive special training in the event that they become POWs, but those most at risk certainly do. You're about to see that training in the CNN exclusive video. Our journalists recently spent time at the army advanced survival school at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Joining us now in the newsroom in Atlanta, CNN military analyst, retired Air Force Major General Don Shepperd. General Shepperd, want to show our viewers, first of all, this first exclusive training tape video. And as I do, please explain what's going on in the picture.
MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD (RET), U.S. AIR FORCE: Yeah, Wolf, this is survival and resistance training provided to the various troops. Now, this happens to be army training, I believe it's for special forces. And what they're trying to do is sensitize these people and familiarize them with the treatment they may expect to receive if they are taken POW. This training is given to those at high risk such as SEALS, commandos, special forces and pilots who are at most risk, various levels of training are given to other soldiers out there. But this is specialized training showing them how they will be interned, how they will be kept out of contact with others, and what they may be subjected to, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, let's take a look at the next training video, General. We see some troops getting examined and prodded. Explain what happens to their sense of identity while all this is going on.
SHEPPERD: Yeah, basically, your identity is taken away from you, and that's intentional. You're separated from other prisoners, not allowed to communicate. So, the whole idea of your capture is to tell you that you are on your own and you have no help other than yourself. You're left on your own, and you're isolated, Wolf.
BLITZER: And, finally, General, we're going to take a look at a camp that may house prisoners of war. Would a camp in Iraq, for example, look like this one that we're going to take a look at?
SHEPPERD: There's a possibility, Wolf, although during the Gulf War, prisoners were housed in all sorts of places including, we just had a report by one of the gentleman captured in the previous war, he was put right by an anti-aircraft gun. So, they could establish war camps, or they could just house them in regular jails or any military building, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, General Don Shepperd, as usual, thanks very much.
And to our viewers, once again, you can have a chance to weigh in on the war on Iraq. Our web question of the day is this, does knowing that there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? Please vote at CNN.com/Wolf.
Many of the planes pounding targets in Iraq are flying off Navy aircraft carriers. CNN's Frank Buckley is on the carrier the USS Constellation in the Persian Gulf. He is joining us now live via video phone -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, air operations do continue aboard the USS Constellation. In fact, we're experiencing a recovery right now. That is, jets are landing on the deck above me. So, if you hear a loud noise, that's what that is. Earlier we saw aircraft taking off from the deck, jets bound for Baghdad. They have a variety of missions. We are told that they are involved in striking a number of different types of targets, air defense, leadership targets, also in addition to the ordnance that they are dropping, they are also dropping leaflets in some cases ahead of advancing coalition troops, attempting to convince the Iraqi forces that they should give themselves up, that they should surrender.
We are told that some 28 targets were serviced as rear Admiral Barry Costello put it from the Constellation during the most recent 24-hour cycle. And back here live as you take a look at this F-14 Tomcat, this is what happens in between the events as the jets come back. They are immediately taken over by the maintainers. Many of these people aviation mechanics and machinists who are barely 20 years old. The average age of the ship, the USS Constellation is about 20 years old, and these are the people who make sure that these F-14 Tomcats, which are a 1960s era air frame, are maintained. And these are the people who make sure these aircraft continue to fly these operations that continue off the USS Constellation -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Frank Buckley, one of our embedded journalists, one of our embedded correspondents aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Now to the war dead. Some of the marines killed were stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. The huge base is home to the 1st Marine Expeditionary force, as well as other units. Members of the base community are mourning those who have died. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is at the base, which is about 40 miles from San Diego -- Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf, in fact, this base is home to about 40,000 marines during peace time, many of whom, as you mentioned, are now fighting in Iraq. Now, this is definitely a very difficult time for those who have loved ones in the military, but especially as that casualty count grows, it becomes a much more tense and somber mood out here. So far, Camp Pendleton has lost six U.S. marines, but that was within the first two days of this war. You can see right to the side of me that the flag here flies at half staff in memory of those who have lost their lives in recent days. Today, many here turned to their faith to help them cope.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pray for all the victims of war. We pray for the men and women of our military, which we remember daily. We remember those who have died in the conflict so far. May God bring them the fullness of life and console their families. We also pray for the men, women and children of Iraq.
GUTIERREZ: At the mouth of Camp Pendleton marine base, the faithful filled St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic church this morning. Forty percent of those who worship here are military families who told us their solace and comfort during these difficult times. A book of remembrance in the church has the names of hundreds of marines who are now serving in the Persian gulf. One woman placed her husband's picture near the alter for prayers, she said. This morning, we spoke to several wives whose husbands are now in the Gulf.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always turned to God and to church for everything. And being here, yes, does give me comfort.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been difficult, but I have complete faith in why we're over there and my husband's abilities. I told him the night before he left that I believe in you, and that was the last thing I said when I said good-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's scary knowing that the closer we get into Baghdad, I know it's going to get uglier, and it's very scary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: In fact, some of the information now coming in on more casualties, coming in so quickly that marines here at the mouth of the base have come and they have asked us to read them the names to see if they recognize any of their fallen comrades. Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Thelma Gutierrez. Our heart goes out to all those families. Camp Pendleton, California. President Bush, meanwhile, got back to the White House today as the bad news mounted for coalition forces in Iraq. Let's go live to our White House correspondent Dana Bash -- Dana.
DANA BASH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president is in the White House residence this evening. He is getting constant updates from the war front we are told. This morning, while still at Camp David, the president said he and the first lady went to church to pray for the lost troops and for their families.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): Back from Camp David as Iraqis released graphic pictures of Americans killed in action and the first prisoners of war, a stern warning from the commander in chief.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The POWs I expect to be treated humanely, and just like we're treating the prisoners that we have captured humanely. If not, the people who mistreat the prisoners will be treated as war criminals.
BASH: Taking reporters questions for the first time in a week, the president expressed confidence about the war's progress. But as the realities of casualties on the battlefield set in, he braced the country for a tough fight ahead.
BUSH: I know that Saddam Hussein is losing control of his country. That -- that we're slowly but surely achieving our objective. It's important for the American people to realize that this war has just begun.
BASH: Despite some resistance, Mr. Bush said U.S. forces achieved a key objective, securing most of Southern Iraq, especially the oil fields.
BUSH: Tommy Franks put a plan in place that moved on those oil fields quickly and, at least in the south, they are secure. And that is positive news for all of us.
BASH: But things are more precarious on the northern front. The administration is concerned Turkey may send troops into Iraq.
BUSH: We're making it very clear to the Turks that we expect them not to come into Northern Iraq. We're in constant touch with the Turkish military as well as Turkish politicians. They know our policy and it's a firm policy. And we've made it very clear to them we expect them not to go into Northern Iraq.
BASH: As for Saddam Hussein, the president made clear the opportunity to leave Iraq safely has come and gone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: And to help convince Iraqis the purpose of this U.S. attack is to liberate, not conquer, the president said behind the ground assaults will be mass amounts of humanitarian aid -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And I'm sure it will be quite extensive. Dana Bash at the White House, thanks very much.
In Washington, D.C., veterans opposed to the war are staging what they call operation dire distress through tomorrow. Today's protests including a rally and march, and wreath laying ceremonies were planned at the Vietnam and Korean war memorial sites.
Meanwhile, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, another crowd rallied in support of U.S. troops. The demonstration was organized by the group Free Republic.
And there were new protests around the world. An estimated 70,000 people rallied in Lahore, Pakistan chanting anti-American slogans, and burning effigies of President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. Riot police were on hand in Amman, Jordan to control hundreds of demonstrators.
Today, Jordan became the first Arab country to expel Iraqi diplomats.
Thirty thousand people marched in Sydney, Australia condemning the U.S.-led war and Prime Minister John Howard for supporting it with some 2,000 Australian troops.
Thousands of Muslims demonstrates in the Indian capital of new Delhi, some carrying signs accusing the U.S. of war against Islam.
Violence marred a protest in Mexico City. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who were throwing rocks at the U.S. embassy.
But a protest march in Chile was peaceful with 4,000 people taking their opposition war to the streets of Santiago.
We have more coming up on the war in Iraq. Christiane Amanpour is in Southern Iraq with the latest on the battle against oil fires. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Just hours after the ground invasion began, U.S. marines raced to secure these fields in Southern Iraq, followed closely by British Royal engineers and explosive experts.
COL. IAIN JAMES, ROYAL ENGINEER BRIGADE: This wasn't a little sideshow in the operation. This was a critical part of the coalition operation. Whatever the future form that Iraq takes, I mean pervasive in that is its oil and its oil income.
AMANPOUR: Indeed, this field in the south produces 60 percent of Iraq's oil, and everyone remembers the ecological and environmental havoc Iraq caused by setting Kuwait's oil fields ablaze 12 years ago.
(on camera): In a futile attempt to obscure the vision of invading U.S. and British forces, the Iraqis did fill some trenches with oil around key installations. Some of those trenches, they set on fire. And now there is a fairly strong smell of oil in the air, but according to the British Royal engineers here, there is no evidence yet of any attempts by the Iraqis to booby-trap or cause serious sabotage.
(voice-over): Army engineers discovered that by picking carefully through the critical gas and oil separation plants shutting down valves and the big taps called manifolds. They are all off now, awaiting private contractors to restart the oil production. The Iraqi army put up some resistance, and U.S. marines took some combat casualties. But, here, as elsewhere in Iraq, many soldiers surrendered. The British say they have 500 POWs, and that number could grow to 1,000. And as they begin to secure large parts of the south, more troops and material pour in pushing up ever deeper cross country. Christiane Amanpour, CNN at the Yumana ((ph)) oil fields in Southern Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Now, here's how you're weighing in on our web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this question. Does knowing there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? More for it, more against it, feel the same. Look at the results, 67 percent of you said more for it. Seventeen percent of you say more against it. Sixteen percent of you say feel the same. Remember, you can find the exact vote tally, continue to vote, by the way, on our web site, CNN.com/wolf. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.
We're standing by, coming up soon, we'll go live to Fort Bliss, Texas for a news conference. That's where many of the soldiers who were captured, POWs are from. They're based in Fort Bliss, Texas. We'll have that news conference. That's coming up. I'm Wolf Blitzer here in Kuwait City.
"LOU DOBB'S MONEYLINE" is coming up next. And Lou is standing by.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
First Pictures of American Soldiers Killed, Captured in Iraq>
Aired March 23, 2003 - 17:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: CNN live this hour, WOLF BLITZER REPORTS from Kuwait City with correspondents from around the world. WOLF BLITZER REPORTS starts now.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Iraqi resistance forces for Saddam Hussein put up a fight in the south.
The U.S. military says it's been a hard day.
In Baghdad, new explosions light up the night sky. This is a live picture. It's 1:00 in the morning in Iraq's capital.
We're coming to you this hour live from Kuwait City. It shares the same time zone with Baghdad but little else.
Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting from Kuwait City. We want to begin this hour by showing you some dramatic pictures of some of the latest fighting in Iraq, a new wave of the U.S. Shock and Awe campaign hit Baghdad Sunday night. Air strikes produced huge explosions that lit up the sky and produced giant plumes of smoke. Coalition forces are meeting resistance in Southern Iraq despite controlling large portions of the region. Overnight, they engaged in a fierce firefight with a pocket of Iraqi soldiers on the Al-Faw Peninsula. A British carrier jet was called in to end the standoff.
And in port city of Umm Qasr, the Associated Press reports street-fighting gorillas, including Baath Party paramilitary fighters.
But first, closing in on Baghdad, here's a look at where things stand around Iraq right now.
The ground war has moved closer to the center of Iraq. The 3rd Infantry is about 100 miles outside of Baghdad, potentially less than a day's march. In the capital city, more explosions overnight, and Iraqi forces set oil-filled trenches on fire in an attempt to create a smoke screen. To the south, U.S. troops run into stiff resistance. CNN's Alessio Vinci reports that coalition forces suffered casualties in fighting near Nasiriyah. On the border, coalition forces continue to battle pockets of resistance in the port City of Umm Qasr.
And British marines battled with Iraqis in the Al-Faw Peninsula after establishing a beachhead there Friday. There also was activity in the north, air strikes were reported in Mosul and against positions of what the U.S. military calls a militant Muslim group Ansar al-Islam near the Iranian border.
And even as we're reporting live from Kuwait City, once again, air raid sirens have gone off here in the Kuwaiti capital. Once again, sirens going off. This is not an unusual situation in Kuwait City, although it's been about a day or so since we've had these kinds of air raid sirens going off, usually an indication that something might be going on. In the past, there have been several false alarms. We'll continue to monitor the situation and get back to you with the latest.
In the meantime, CNN received the first pictures of American soldiers killed and captured in action in Iraq shortly after the Pentagon said that fewer than ten of its troops are missing. They later raised that number to 12. The pictures were transmitted by al- Jazeera, the Arab-language satellite network. The video was shot by state-run Iraq TV. We want to let the audience know that these pictures and the interviews are disturbing.
CNN has made a decision not to show the video of those killed and will instead use this single image with no identifiable features. In other images, it was apparent some soldiers had been shot, some of them in the forehead. We don't know their identities. Five other soldiers were also interviewed and each gave their name and home state in the United States. The Pentagon tells CNN that it is notifying the families of those captured and those who were killed.
Now the bloodiest battle yet. In and around the City of Nasiriyah in South Central Iraq, marines have been fighting with hardly any sleep. Our Alessio Vinci was with the unit during the attack and came upon the actual scene.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALLESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I am just describing to you what I'm looking at, the charred AAV and a previous assault vehicle, basically, one of those armored personnel carriers the marines are using. And it is totally destroyed. I'd say totally charcoaled, burned down. And according to one of the eyewitnesses, this was one of the armored that was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. And all this happened several hundreds of meters ahead of me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: CNN's Alessio Vinci on the scene for us.
Now the latest, Let's go live to our senior Pentagon correspondent, Jamie McIntyre -- Jamie.
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SENIOR PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, U.S. commanders admit it was, quote "a tough day of fighting" for U.S. troops who met the stiffest resistance so far in their push to Baghdad, but the U.S. commanders also vowed that the combat losses and the taking of American prisoners of war would do nothing to change the U.S. war plan or their guarantee of U.S. victory. On day four, the fiercest fight came here in the Southern Iraqi City of An Nasiriyah, about 100 miles north of Kuwait. U.S. marines had thought the main fighting was over in An Nasiriyah, but they got a nasty surprise, U.S. commanders say, when it turned out special Republican Guard forces had infiltrated the regular Iraqi troops and were pretending to surrender and posing as civilians.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The majority of the resistance we have faced so far comes from Saddam's special security organization and the Saddam feday (ph). These are men who know they will have no role in the building of a new Iraq and they have no future.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCINTYRE: U.S. officials describe two incidents in which in one case U.S. troops came upon Iraqi forces who were under a flag of surrender only to be subjected to an artillery barrage. In another, it appeared that there were Iraqi civilians welcoming the U.S. troops. Again, the U.S. was ambushed. A supply convoy ran into an Iraqi force when it made a wrong turn. That resulted in deaths and the capture and killing of some Americans. Some of those captured turned up later on Iraqi television. But the Pentagon says that the war plan is on track and that U.S. forces are unstoppable and will be in the Baghdad vicinity soon.
One other note, Wolf, in Afghanistan, the other place where U.S. forces are actively engaged, a U.S. air force Pave Hawk helicopter crashed today killing all six people on board as it was conducting, trying to conduct a medical evacuation mission. No indication of enemy fire. An investigation is underway -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jamie McIntyre at the Pentagon. Jamie, thanks very much. And if you can hear a siren behind me here in Kuwait City, happy to report that is the all clear, meaning that any potential danger has now been removed. Once again, there were just a few minutes ago the air raid sirens suggesting there could be a problem. Right now, the all clear has sounded, meaning that that danger has gone away, which is good news for all of the people of Kuwait and Kuwait City.
The United States has warned Iraq it will be held responsible for any violations of the Geneva Conventions. The relevant paragraph of the protection of the POWs reads as follows, and I'm quoting, "prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
Here's your chance to weigh in on the war in Iraq. Our web question of the day is this, does knowing there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? More for it, more against it, feel the same? We'll have the results later in this broadcast. Please vote at CNN.com/wolf. While you're there, I would like to hear from you, send me your comments. I'll try to read some of them on the air. That's, of course, where you can read my daily online column, CNN.com/wolf.
As we told you at the top of our program, U.S. forces continue to battle pockets of resistance in the southern port City of Umm Qasr. A British pool reporter was with the troops as the action unfolded.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now we've got two to three inside the window, moving to green tacky (ph), which is clock (ph) strikes over the head as we opened fire on them.
DAVID BOWDEN, BRITISH POOL REPORTER: When this all started off, originally, it was just men with their M-16s and machine guns who ran up on to the top of this berm and started pouring fire down on that area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) right into it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brought the javelin weapon system up to bear. The first shot went a little bit long.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was off. That was off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The second shot direct impact to that building. Once that building was hit, then it began -- became very apparent that there was a lot of movement in that area. We had troops start moving back and forth. We began engaging with the machine guns and just people just started popping out of everywhere.
BOWDEN: They're still trying to clear this area. There are more instructions going out now. I can't hear exactly what's being said, but you can hear for yourselves, more live firing here at Umm Qasr.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger, right now, we just got a confirmation that we've got some pop shots. I guess somebody's trying to return fire on to the tanks. Apparently, there's somebody back there, apparently, that wants to keep going.
BOWDEN: Is it still dangerous out there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As far as me at ground level with my squad, there's always a threat. I mean we don't adhere to reports from anybody that the threat has gone away. This area is secured. We're always maintaining our posture here on the platoon level to ensure that we here are always constantly ready for a fight, because it could pop up from anywhere.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: And these kinds of battles are anticipated to become even more intense as U.S. and British forces continue their march towards Baghdad. Let's go to Baghdad now where Iraqi police and security agents searched for what they said was a downed allied pilot along the Tigris River earlier today. The Iraqis fired automatic weapons into the reeds and the shallow water. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other U.S. military officials said there are no reports of an allied plane being shot down over Baghdad. And there are no reports of missing pilots.
At one point, the Iraqis also set fire to brush along the river. The Associated Press reports the Iraqi action was triggered after witnesses said they saw parachutes. Again, U.S. officials say there are no reports of downed allied planes and pilots. They say, all planes and pilots have been accounted for. Here are the latest confirmed number of U.S. casualties in the war on Iraq. One soldier with the 101st Airborne was killed in a grenade attack, allegedly carried out by a fellow soldier at a camp here in Kuwait. A dozen soldiers were injured, five seriously. At least two U.S. marines have been killed in combat in Iraq. And 19 coalition forces have been killed in two accidental helicopter crashes, five Americans and 14 British.
American officials describe today's fighting as tough and sharp. And the Pentagon's punishing Shock and Awe air campaign continues with absolutely no let up. With reports of missing troops, including some who may be in Iraqi hands, pilots who fly search and rescue missions also have been quite busy. CNN's Gary Tuchman is at a base near the Iraqi border here in the Persian Gulf -- Gary.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, just like you in Kuwait City, we just had the sirens go off here at this air base. We saw airmen scrambling to put on their chemical suits, to put on their masks when the sirens went off. This had been the first day since the war began that they were not required to wear their chemical suits at all times. Up until today, as long as they weren't in the shower or in bed, they had to walk around with their chemical suits at all times. They just scrambled a short time ago. People put on their masks. They went into bunkers, but only there five minutes when they got the all clear and, now, everyone is out again. But most of the people we see in the background are still wearing their suits as we speak.
Right now, it's past 1:00 in the morning here in the Persian Gulf. The runways and the taxiways are still very busy. As we speak right now, you can see back there planes coming in after their missions to Iraq. They've just landed and now taxing down the taxiway. The A-10s and F-16s that are here, they will park for another day to go out on their missions. We see a lot of warplanes here. We see a lot of bombs. Being at an air base during a war is not subtle.
We talked earlier today with the winged commander here, and I'm going to have to stop talking for one minute because it gets quite loud when the aircraft passes, obviously. We talked earlier today with the wing commander, the man who is in charge of this facility. But he also goes out on missions himself, and just today, he went on two missions.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The first sortie this morning was on a leaflet drop, and the second sortie was a close air support sortie in support of the ground operations.
TUCHMAN: And did you drop your munitions on that particular sortie?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I did drop some munitions on that sortie
TUCHMAN: What did you actually drop?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was precision-guided munitions, laser- guided bombs.
TUCHMAN: This was to protect ground troops who were nearby at the time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was in support of folks.
TUCHMAN: Now, when you fly -- here you are, you are the leader here, so your words will be listened to very carefully. Is there an element of fear, nervousness, anxiety at all?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's truly not. I think all pilots that are here from all nations have prepared for this day. Our training is superb. I talked with the pilots before we began combat operations. I share with them that they've been trained exactly for what they need to do. There's not a threat north of here that they've not been able to train for, prepare for and will be able to defeat. And they're very well equipped for this. And I think there's an apprehension as you go north, certainly, but it's not fear.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TUCHMAN: I think that's one of the interesting things that a lot of people probably don't realize is the variety of missions. That man flies an F-16. Those are fighter planes that carry bombs, yet, his two missions were very different. The first he dropped leaflets, the second he dropped bombs. The planes are now actually stacked up on the taxiway waiting to park. That gives you an idea.
It's like a commercial airport here on a Friday night or a Sunday night the amount of traffic we've seen. There have been more than 550 sorties in the first 48 hours of Shock and Awe. It gives you an idea if you do the math, that averages out to about 12 warplanes an hour leaving from just this one base participating in the Gulf War too. Keep in mind, there are at least 38 different locations where coalition aircraft are taking off from. Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: Gary, getting back to the sirens that went off, the alarms that went off and suggesting that there could be some sort of missile attack, you say that the troops where you are put on their full protective gear. Do they always do that whenever these air sirens go off?
TUCHMAN: Wolf, forgive me, it's so loud here. It's hard to hear your question. I think you're asking me -- we'll give you a shot of these planes again as they start moving just because it's such an unusual sight. I think you're asking me do the airmen here always put on their suits and their equipment when the sirens go off? And that's a good question, because there are two different sets of sirens in this area. There are sirens that have been installed by the Kuwaiti government. There are also sirens that have been installed by the coalition military. When the Kuwaiti government sirens go off, they don't always put on all their gear. They are instructed that if the military sirens go off, that's when it should be taken very, very seriously and they then run and put on their gear 100 percent of the time.
BLITZER: All right, Gary Tuchman, at a base near the Iraqi border here in the Persian Gulf. Gary, thanks very much.
And here's an update now on a report we brought you live yesterday. The grenade attack at the 101st Airborne Divisions Camp Pennsylvania here in Kuwait, a member of the division's 1st brigade is in custody for allegedly throwing two live grenades into the tent of fellow soldiers killing one and injuring 12 others. The army has not identified the suspect.
Another unit of the 101st, the 3rd Brigade is inside Iraq. CNN's Ryan Chilcote is with them. He is joining us now live via video phone. Ryan.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, first of all, reaction from the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade inside Iraq. They were traveling in a convoy when they learned about the attack back at Camp Pennsylvania, all of the soldiers expressing grief. A lost of the soldiers in the 3rd Brigade happened to know the soldiers that were injured in that attack, injured, I should say, and killed.
There was one soldier, of course, killed at Camp Pennsylvania. And they consider them dear friends and brothers in arms, so, obviously, a lot of grief, also, a lot of shock. As one commander put it, you know, you come here expecting to face the enemy. Expecting to face perhaps battle and injury from Iraqis. You certainly don't expect it from your own soldiers. So a lot of shock among the soldiers here with the 3rd Brigade that this could happen at the hands of one of the 101st's Airborne's own soldiers.
Now, onto the 3rd Brigade, like I said, the 103rd Brigade is now inside Iraq, an absolutely whirlwind three-day convoy here. It began three days ago at Camp New Jersey in Kuwait. It's right off the top, it got crazy. A series of four, count them, four scud alarms, four times over the course of three hours, the soldiers had to dawn their masks, go into bunkers and get out. The result, well, they all ended up in this chemical that you were talking about earlier, this chemical protective gear, the chemical protective suits. And they're still wearing them, and they were wearing them for that entire three-day convoy ride here. Makes things a bit toasty.
The one thing that really impressed me about the 101st 3rd Brigade movement here, these guys, one of the things, one of the problems with covering the 101st Airborne is they just never stop, they never stop for more than two hours over the course of three days, never stop for more than two hours on the side of the road, only stop to refuel or perhaps to change out drivers. Everything was on the go, unbelievable movement and unbelievable desire to get here as quickly as possible. People talk about the race to Baghdad. Well, I think I saw it.
Also, just unbelievably dusty. It was like being thrown into a dryer with a bunch of dust and getting thrown around. It was absolutely unbelievable. Lastly, interaction between the soldiers from the 101st Airborne and Iraqis. Well, we went through three towns. Ad the first town the interaction was quite interesting, a very warm, very welcoming reception from the Iraqis, a lot of them turning out, coming out to wave to the soldiers, to give them the thumbs up, to shout to them, the soldiers tossing out MREs back to them. Really, a warm reception.
The second town not quite that way. As one soldier put it, very eerie, they went through in the middle of the night. One of the soldiers saw a huge mural of President Saddam Hussein. They said that it had all of the ingredients of an ambush. So, the reception here both hot and cold, but that is the trip of the 101st here -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Ryan, I just want to clarify. We're now getting some additional information on the incident involving the 101st over at Camp Pennsylvania here in Kuwait. We are now being told by the U.S. military the name of the individual suspected in rolling that live hand grenade or a couple hand grenades into that tent. He's identified as one Sergeant Asan Akbar. No more information about him other than that his name, Asan Akbar. We're also being told the name of the U.S. soldier from the 101st who was killed, Christopher Scott Siefert. We'll get more information on that. We also want to update our viewers. We now have been told 15 soldiers were injured in that grenade attack at Camp Pennsylvania. The 101st.
Ryan, before I let you go, what's the latest as far as the impact that that incident has had on the fighting morale, if you will, of the troops you're with right now?
BLITZER: Yeah, well, good question. I think it has really given everyone pause to think about how this could happen. I don't think it's going to affect their morale. It's just really a sort of, if you will, a below-the-belt blow to the soldiers and to the leadership. But it is one, as one of the commanders told me today, they will deal with it. This is not something that they anticipated, but it is something that they will have to deal with. And they will have to deal with it promptly and very professionally because, you know, the 101st Airborne is now in combat, is now in Iraq. So it is something that they will simply have to deal with.
CHILCOTE: I understand that they are already preparing replacements for some of the soldiers that were wounded in that attack. The 101st Airborne's, the soldiers at Camp Pennsylvania, some of those who were injured were involved in what's called the -- were part of what's called the "Talk." That's the brigade's operation center. And they are very important to the planning and execution of operations. Still, obviously, the 101st Airborne moving quickly to help those soldiers, help their families. And, most importantly, make sure that everyone can move forward from this absolute tragedy -- Wolf.
BLITZER: It is a tragedy. It's called if, in fact, it was done by a fellow soldier, it's called fratricide, and it's something that is obviously a jolt, a very complex, a very perplexing development. Ryan Chilcote with the 101st in Iraq right now. Thanks, Ryan, for that report.
And reaction to the grenade attack has been one of shock and disbelief among family and friends at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. That's the home base of the 101st Airborne Division. CNN's David Mattingly is here and he has more -- David.
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, some more information for you on that suspect. His name is Asan Akbar. He is a sergeant with the 326th engineering battalion here from Fort Campbell. His job over in Kuwait was clearing land mines and other obstructions in the battlefield, but exactly who this man is and why he may have wanted to kill officers of the 101st Airborne remains a mystery, at least it does on this end of the investigation here at Fort Campbell. The army so far unable to offer up any details about Akbar here at Fort Campbell. And not able to confirm reports that Akbar changed his name after converting to Islam. And any theories, they say, on a motive at this point are purely speculative.
But they can talk about morale on this end. They say that this definitely had an effect on soldiers in the field, but they are working through it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When somebody's firing at you, you know who the enemy is. When they're standing in the same chow line or using the same shower with you, sometimes it's hard to recognize. So it's been -- it's had a detrimental effect probably on the morale, but the soldiers went over pumped up, ready to do their mission, knowing what they were supposed to do, and they'll work their way through this. And they will continue to do their mission in the fashion that 101st soldiers have always done their mission.
MATTINGLY: And the saddest part of this, we have the identity of the soldier who was killed in that grenade attack. He was -- he's identified as Captain Christopher Scott Seifert, 27 years old. That's all the information we have on him. People here at the base say he did have a wife here at the base, but they are going to great lengths to protect her privacy and, understandably so.
In spite of that tragedy, Wolf, we talk about morale. People are finding sources of inspiration even in this tragedy. The front page of the paper here has the picture of the commander of the 1st Brigade. His arm is in a sling, his leg is bleeding after the attack, clearly wounded but still on the job. And people pointing to pictures like this for sources of inspiration through this terrible tragedy -- Wolf.
BLITZER: David Mattingly, I suspect we're going to be learning a lot more about Sergeant Asan Akbar in the coming days and weeks. David Mattingly of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, thanks very much.
Coalition forces also are advancing on the southern City of Basra. We have some pictures from the scene we want to share, but we also want to warn you, some viewers may find these pictures disturbing. These are Iraqi casualties in Basra, as taken by the Associated Press. It's not clear exactly how these people were hurt, either by coalition fire or Iraqi fire.
Iraq's information minister says 77 civilians have been killed in the battle for Basra. He also says more than 500 Iraqis in four cities were injured in air strikes yesterday. There's no independent confirmation of those numbers. And this picture was taken in Baghdad. The AP says it shows a father and son shortly after their home was seriously damaged in one of the air strikes.
Iraq's Foreign Minister Naji Sabri was in Cairo for a meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers. He had angry words for the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NAJI SABRI, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTER: Those aggressors are war criminals, colonialists, war criminals, crazy people led by a crazy drunken, ignorant president like George W. Bush.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLIZER: Naji Sabri, the foreign minister of Iraq still appearing in Cairo at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers.
Americans held as POWs in Iraq, see what kind of training they've received to help them stay alive.
Also, oil fires burning. U.S. marines race to secure Iraq's black gold.
And on the front lines, we'll take you on board the USS Constellation.
You're watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN's continuing war coverage. In a moment, the latest on the American POWs being held in Iraq but, first, for the latest headlines, we go back to Heidi Collins at the CNN newsroom in Atlanta -- Heidi.
(NEWS BREAK)
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Heidi.
We can now update our viewers why the air sirens were going off here in Kuwait. Only in the past few minutes, a military spokesman now saying an Iraqi missile undetermined what kind of missile was indeed intercepted by a Patriot air defense missile. No word yet on the cause, no word yet on what kind of Iraqi missile was intercepted.
So far, according to U.S. military officials, no scuds have been launched by the Iraqis, other shorter-range missiles, indeed, have been. Several of them coming here towards Kuwait. All of them either falling harmlessly into the desert or having been successfully intercepted by Patriot missiles. We'll continue to follow this story here in Kuwait.
And as we continue our coverage of the war in Iraq, let's bring everyone up to date on what CNN has been reporting over the past few hours.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: 6:47 a.m. Eastern, Arabic- language networks begin airing video from Baghdad that purportedly shows Iraqi authorities searching for a downed U.S. pilot. The Pentagon later denies any U.S. or British aircraft are missing over Baghdad. The search is eventually stopped.
7:08 a.m. Eastern, CNN's Barbara Starr says the Pentagon confirms a British Tornado aircraft was accidentally shot down Saturday by a U.S. Patriot missile as it returned from a mission over Iraq. Recovery efforts are underway. But hope of finding survivors is dwindling.
8:09 Eastern, CNN's Walt Rodgers embedded with the 3rd Squadron 7th Cavalry reports soldiers are telling him Iraqis are using women and children as human shields around military installations. An hour later, he reports his unit has taken heavy fire that injured one soldier as the squadron continues moving toward Baghdad.
10:06 Eastern, CNN's Alessio Vinci with a marine unit in Southern Iraq reports heavy fighting and some casualties near Nasiriyah.
11:03 a.m., Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr reports the military has begun contacting families of up to ten members of an army maintenance unit, some of whom were captured, some of whom killed near Nasiriyah.
11:33 a.m., Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tells CNN's Wolf Blitzer following the airing of interviews of American POWs on Iraqi TV that Iraq is violating the Geneva Conventions with that video.
2:00 p.m., U.S. military leaders say American troops defeated Iraqi forces at Nasiriyah, but they say ten U.S. soldiers were killed and 12 were reported missing after Iraqis ambushed a supply convoy.
2:30 p.m. Eastern time, 10:30 in Baghdad, huge explosions are heard and buildings are set ablaze in the Iraqi capital, apparently, from a new wave of air strikes. Miles O'Brien, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: As the reality of war and U.S. casualties sets in, many Americans are becoming more entrenched in their positions on the war in Iraq, both for and against. CNN's Maria Hinojosa joins me now live from New York with more on this national debate -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, usually here in Times Square, we've been seeing anti-war protestors, but today in Times Qquare, what could you say is members of the silent majority, 76 percent of Americans say they'll support this war. But, today, only about 1,000 or so came out to the streets to show their support for the troops. But yesterday, there were anywhere from 150 to 250,000 marching through midtown saying they were against the war. Just another weekend round of protests as this war appears to become more complicated with every day that passes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (voice-over): Today in Washington, it was the veterans marching, a quiet plea for peace.
DEMONSTRATORS: God, bless America.
HINOJOSA: While in New York, civilians loudly cheering on the war. Emotions erupting on both sides as more bombs fell and the troops advanced. And the bombing intensified both the war and the national debate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess we're looking at the ultimate reality show.
HINOJOSA: With images this Sunday that are painfully real, civilians injured in wartime conflict, real injuries in a real war, the bodies of American troops on display on Al-Jazeera television, prompting a mixture of difficult emotions here at home.
Grom those are relatives in the war zone.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very serious. My husband is in the National Guard and is waiting to go overseas right now. So, we're definitely very concerned, but things need to get done.
HINOJOSA: From the site of the World Trade Center attack.
CHARLES WOLF, HUSBAND, 9/11 VICTIM: If we had taken this attitude before 9/11 with the previous things like the Cole and the '93 bombing, we may have a couple of big buildings standing here, and I'd have my wife still.
HINOJOSA: From those who have been to war.
TAYLOR ORUTI (PH): And I think that the diplomacy pretty much failed in the beginning. And I believe that Saddam Hussein is a threat to the world. But the method that we're going about removing him from the current situation that he's in by invading another country is, you know, there's other methods of dealing with the situation. It's a lot easier to support it when it's going well. And it's a lot harder to support it when we're taking casualties.
HINOJOSA: And those resigned to the war's price.
MARK MCINTYRE, ATLANTA RESIDENT: I think it's tragic for the loss of lives over there, but sometimes we do have to do certain things. Sometimes war is just something that you just have to do. HINJOSA (on camera): As the war moves into the coming weeks, both anti-war and pro-war organizations are trying to figure out what to do to continue to get their constituents out on to the streets. But, Wolf, there may be just a few days now when people decide that they have to stay indoors to learn how to deal with their own shock as the reality of this wars more and more prevalent -- Wolf.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Maria Hinojosa. Thanks very much, Maria, for that report. Earlier today, I spoke with the Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. I asked him about the prisoners of war pictures broadcast earlier in the day on Iraqi TV.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RUMSFELD: Been reports throughout the morning here in it the East coast to the effect that some U.S. soldiers were unaccounted for. Whether the ones that are being shown on that particular station or not, that network, are those individuals, I'm not in a position to say. We do know that the Geneva Convention makes it illegal for prisoners of war to be shown and pictured and humiliated. And it's something that the United States does not do. And needless to say, television networks that carry such pictures are, I would say, doing something that's unfortunate.
BLITZER: On the other hand, you could argue, some would make the case that at least their family members are seeing them, seeing them alive, even if they're not in the best of conditions, they could get some comfort from seeing these videotaped pictures.
RUMSFELD: You can make that argument if you wish.
BLITZER: But what I hear you saying is you're urging all worldwide news organizations, television networks, not to broadcast these images of these American POWs?
RUMSFELD: What I'm saying is that it's a violation of the Geneva Convention for the Iraqis to be, if, in fact, that's what's taking place, to be showing prisoners of war in a humiliating manner.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: The Geneva Conventions, by the way, consist of four international treaties covering a variety of issues, including the treatment of prisoners of war. Senior political analyst Bill Schneider is joining us now from the CNN newsroom in Atlanta. Bill, what is the legal issue that the defense secretary is referring to?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: He's referring to the fact that countries cannot deal with prisoners of war as they see fit. There are rules. There are in the four Geneva Conventions. They were signed and written in 1949, 160 nations signed those conventions, including the United States and Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld was complaining those rules have been violated.
BLITZER: And Bill, what about the protections of the Geneva Conventions, what do they specifically offer prisoners of war?
SCHNEIDER: There are four kinds of protections offered by those Conventions. The first is humane treatment. Prisoners of war are protected against torture, intimidation, insult and public curiosity. The public display of prisoners of war is prohibited. Second, questioning, when questioned, prisoners must give their names, ranks, birth dates and serial numbers.
They can't be threatened or mistreated if they refuse to answer questions. Prisoners may not be used as human shields against an enemy attack. And, finally, prisoners may not be punished for acts committed during the fighting. If any of those rules are violated, it can, as the president said, be treated as a war crime -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Bill Schneider, thanks very much.
Not all troops receive special training in the event that they become POWs, but those most at risk certainly do. You're about to see that training in the CNN exclusive video. Our journalists recently spent time at the army advanced survival school at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Joining us now in the newsroom in Atlanta, CNN military analyst, retired Air Force Major General Don Shepperd. General Shepperd, want to show our viewers, first of all, this first exclusive training tape video. And as I do, please explain what's going on in the picture.
MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD (RET), U.S. AIR FORCE: Yeah, Wolf, this is survival and resistance training provided to the various troops. Now, this happens to be army training, I believe it's for special forces. And what they're trying to do is sensitize these people and familiarize them with the treatment they may expect to receive if they are taken POW. This training is given to those at high risk such as SEALS, commandos, special forces and pilots who are at most risk, various levels of training are given to other soldiers out there. But this is specialized training showing them how they will be interned, how they will be kept out of contact with others, and what they may be subjected to, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, let's take a look at the next training video, General. We see some troops getting examined and prodded. Explain what happens to their sense of identity while all this is going on.
SHEPPERD: Yeah, basically, your identity is taken away from you, and that's intentional. You're separated from other prisoners, not allowed to communicate. So, the whole idea of your capture is to tell you that you are on your own and you have no help other than yourself. You're left on your own, and you're isolated, Wolf.
BLITZER: And, finally, General, we're going to take a look at a camp that may house prisoners of war. Would a camp in Iraq, for example, look like this one that we're going to take a look at?
SHEPPERD: There's a possibility, Wolf, although during the Gulf War, prisoners were housed in all sorts of places including, we just had a report by one of the gentleman captured in the previous war, he was put right by an anti-aircraft gun. So, they could establish war camps, or they could just house them in regular jails or any military building, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, General Don Shepperd, as usual, thanks very much.
And to our viewers, once again, you can have a chance to weigh in on the war on Iraq. Our web question of the day is this, does knowing that there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? Please vote at CNN.com/Wolf.
Many of the planes pounding targets in Iraq are flying off Navy aircraft carriers. CNN's Frank Buckley is on the carrier the USS Constellation in the Persian Gulf. He is joining us now live via video phone -- Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, air operations do continue aboard the USS Constellation. In fact, we're experiencing a recovery right now. That is, jets are landing on the deck above me. So, if you hear a loud noise, that's what that is. Earlier we saw aircraft taking off from the deck, jets bound for Baghdad. They have a variety of missions. We are told that they are involved in striking a number of different types of targets, air defense, leadership targets, also in addition to the ordnance that they are dropping, they are also dropping leaflets in some cases ahead of advancing coalition troops, attempting to convince the Iraqi forces that they should give themselves up, that they should surrender.
We are told that some 28 targets were serviced as rear Admiral Barry Costello put it from the Constellation during the most recent 24-hour cycle. And back here live as you take a look at this F-14 Tomcat, this is what happens in between the events as the jets come back. They are immediately taken over by the maintainers. Many of these people aviation mechanics and machinists who are barely 20 years old. The average age of the ship, the USS Constellation is about 20 years old, and these are the people who make sure that these F-14 Tomcats, which are a 1960s era air frame, are maintained. And these are the people who make sure these aircraft continue to fly these operations that continue off the USS Constellation -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Frank Buckley, one of our embedded journalists, one of our embedded correspondents aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf. Now to the war dead. Some of the marines killed were stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. The huge base is home to the 1st Marine Expeditionary force, as well as other units. Members of the base community are mourning those who have died. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is at the base, which is about 40 miles from San Diego -- Thelma.
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf, in fact, this base is home to about 40,000 marines during peace time, many of whom, as you mentioned, are now fighting in Iraq. Now, this is definitely a very difficult time for those who have loved ones in the military, but especially as that casualty count grows, it becomes a much more tense and somber mood out here. So far, Camp Pendleton has lost six U.S. marines, but that was within the first two days of this war. You can see right to the side of me that the flag here flies at half staff in memory of those who have lost their lives in recent days. Today, many here turned to their faith to help them cope.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pray for all the victims of war. We pray for the men and women of our military, which we remember daily. We remember those who have died in the conflict so far. May God bring them the fullness of life and console their families. We also pray for the men, women and children of Iraq.
GUTIERREZ: At the mouth of Camp Pendleton marine base, the faithful filled St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic church this morning. Forty percent of those who worship here are military families who told us their solace and comfort during these difficult times. A book of remembrance in the church has the names of hundreds of marines who are now serving in the Persian gulf. One woman placed her husband's picture near the alter for prayers, she said. This morning, we spoke to several wives whose husbands are now in the Gulf.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've always turned to God and to church for everything. And being here, yes, does give me comfort.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's been difficult, but I have complete faith in why we're over there and my husband's abilities. I told him the night before he left that I believe in you, and that was the last thing I said when I said good-bye.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's scary knowing that the closer we get into Baghdad, I know it's going to get uglier, and it's very scary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: In fact, some of the information now coming in on more casualties, coming in so quickly that marines here at the mouth of the base have come and they have asked us to read them the names to see if they recognize any of their fallen comrades. Wolf, back to you.
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Thelma Gutierrez. Our heart goes out to all those families. Camp Pendleton, California. President Bush, meanwhile, got back to the White House today as the bad news mounted for coalition forces in Iraq. Let's go live to our White House correspondent Dana Bash -- Dana.
DANA BASH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, the president is in the White House residence this evening. He is getting constant updates from the war front we are told. This morning, while still at Camp David, the president said he and the first lady went to church to pray for the lost troops and for their families.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH (voice-over): Back from Camp David as Iraqis released graphic pictures of Americans killed in action and the first prisoners of war, a stern warning from the commander in chief.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The POWs I expect to be treated humanely, and just like we're treating the prisoners that we have captured humanely. If not, the people who mistreat the prisoners will be treated as war criminals.
BASH: Taking reporters questions for the first time in a week, the president expressed confidence about the war's progress. But as the realities of casualties on the battlefield set in, he braced the country for a tough fight ahead.
BUSH: I know that Saddam Hussein is losing control of his country. That -- that we're slowly but surely achieving our objective. It's important for the American people to realize that this war has just begun.
BASH: Despite some resistance, Mr. Bush said U.S. forces achieved a key objective, securing most of Southern Iraq, especially the oil fields.
BUSH: Tommy Franks put a plan in place that moved on those oil fields quickly and, at least in the south, they are secure. And that is positive news for all of us.
BASH: But things are more precarious on the northern front. The administration is concerned Turkey may send troops into Iraq.
BUSH: We're making it very clear to the Turks that we expect them not to come into Northern Iraq. We're in constant touch with the Turkish military as well as Turkish politicians. They know our policy and it's a firm policy. And we've made it very clear to them we expect them not to go into Northern Iraq.
BASH: As for Saddam Hussein, the president made clear the opportunity to leave Iraq safely has come and gone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: And to help convince Iraqis the purpose of this U.S. attack is to liberate, not conquer, the president said behind the ground assaults will be mass amounts of humanitarian aid -- Wolf.
BLITZER: And I'm sure it will be quite extensive. Dana Bash at the White House, thanks very much.
In Washington, D.C., veterans opposed to the war are staging what they call operation dire distress through tomorrow. Today's protests including a rally and march, and wreath laying ceremonies were planned at the Vietnam and Korean war memorial sites.
Meanwhile, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, another crowd rallied in support of U.S. troops. The demonstration was organized by the group Free Republic.
And there were new protests around the world. An estimated 70,000 people rallied in Lahore, Pakistan chanting anti-American slogans, and burning effigies of President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. Riot police were on hand in Amman, Jordan to control hundreds of demonstrators.
Today, Jordan became the first Arab country to expel Iraqi diplomats.
Thirty thousand people marched in Sydney, Australia condemning the U.S.-led war and Prime Minister John Howard for supporting it with some 2,000 Australian troops.
Thousands of Muslims demonstrates in the Indian capital of new Delhi, some carrying signs accusing the U.S. of war against Islam.
Violence marred a protest in Mexico City. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who were throwing rocks at the U.S. embassy.
But a protest march in Chile was peaceful with 4,000 people taking their opposition war to the streets of Santiago.
We have more coming up on the war in Iraq. Christiane Amanpour is in Southern Iraq with the latest on the battle against oil fires. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Just hours after the ground invasion began, U.S. marines raced to secure these fields in Southern Iraq, followed closely by British Royal engineers and explosive experts.
COL. IAIN JAMES, ROYAL ENGINEER BRIGADE: This wasn't a little sideshow in the operation. This was a critical part of the coalition operation. Whatever the future form that Iraq takes, I mean pervasive in that is its oil and its oil income.
AMANPOUR: Indeed, this field in the south produces 60 percent of Iraq's oil, and everyone remembers the ecological and environmental havoc Iraq caused by setting Kuwait's oil fields ablaze 12 years ago.
(on camera): In a futile attempt to obscure the vision of invading U.S. and British forces, the Iraqis did fill some trenches with oil around key installations. Some of those trenches, they set on fire. And now there is a fairly strong smell of oil in the air, but according to the British Royal engineers here, there is no evidence yet of any attempts by the Iraqis to booby-trap or cause serious sabotage.
(voice-over): Army engineers discovered that by picking carefully through the critical gas and oil separation plants shutting down valves and the big taps called manifolds. They are all off now, awaiting private contractors to restart the oil production. The Iraqi army put up some resistance, and U.S. marines took some combat casualties. But, here, as elsewhere in Iraq, many soldiers surrendered. The British say they have 500 POWs, and that number could grow to 1,000. And as they begin to secure large parts of the south, more troops and material pour in pushing up ever deeper cross country. Christiane Amanpour, CNN at the Yumana ((ph)) oil fields in Southern Iraq.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: Now, here's how you're weighing in on our web question of the day. Remember, we've been asking you this question. Does knowing there are U.S. POWs change your level of support for the war? More for it, more against it, feel the same. Look at the results, 67 percent of you said more for it. Seventeen percent of you say more against it. Sixteen percent of you say feel the same. Remember, you can find the exact vote tally, continue to vote, by the way, on our web site, CNN.com/wolf. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.
We're standing by, coming up soon, we'll go live to Fort Bliss, Texas for a news conference. That's where many of the soldiers who were captured, POWs are from. They're based in Fort Bliss, Texas. We'll have that news conference. That's coming up. I'm Wolf Blitzer here in Kuwait City.
"LOU DOBB'S MONEYLINE" is coming up next. And Lou is standing by.
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First Pictures of American Soldiers Killed, Captured in Iraq>
