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ISIS Threatens Air Base With U.S. Marines; Peshmerga Defend Strategic Ground From ISIS; Kurds Further Progress Depends On Iraqi Army; ISIS Threatens Air Base With U.S. Marines; ISIS Widow Of Paris Market Gunman In Syria; ISIS Ringleader Of Belgium Plot Now Back In Syria; Will Peace Deal Last; Funeral Service Today For Shooting Victims; All Three Victims Were Shot In The Head

Aired February 12, 2015 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Wolf Blitzer. It's 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 7:00 p.m. in Paris, 8:00 p.m. in Kiev, 9:00 in Moscow. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

We're following breaking news just into CNN. Officials say Islamic state insurgents took control of most of the western Iraqi town of Al Baghdadi, threatening an air base there where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops.

But this isn't the only area of concern. In northern Iraq, the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, they're trying to hold onto a key junction between Mosul and Tal Afar. And that's where our own Phil Black is standing by. Phil, has ISIS launched a number of major attacks in the area where you are today because that's what we're hearing?

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, it's been a very active day for ISIS in the west of country, as you mentioned there. But also, here in the north, Kurdish fighters say five of their positions came under attack by ISIS today. Some of those attacks involved suicide bombers. All were repelled.

But the Kurds believe this is all part of the new tactic being used by ISIS in this region. Launching various attacks to divert the Kurdish attention, their resources from the main game which is circling and choking off the ISIS stronghold in the city of Mosul. We visited a key position to the west of Mosul where the Kurds are doing just that. And it was clear, ISIS wants that position back. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): These Kurdish fighters are holding onto very important ground. Notice Peshmerga, they say ISIS attacks them every day. Sometimes by driving huge truck bombs into their defenses.

(on camera): This is probably the most contested piece of territory in all of northern Iraq, at the moment. Because from this position, the Peshmerga have affectively cut off ISIS and being resupplied across the border in Syria.

(voice-over): An ISIS outpost is just 800 yards away. For the Kurds, taking and holding this crossroad is a key objective in their strategy of surrounding and choking off Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in northern Iraq. And it's another sign of the huge progress the Kurds have made in rolling back territory ISIS initially conquered so easily.

MASRUR BARZANI, CHANCELLOR, KURDISTAN SECURITY COUNCIL: So, we have to drive them out of this entire region.

The head of the Kurdish Security Council says the Peshmerga have taken back almost all the ground they can until the new, retrained Iraqi army is ready to take the field.

BARZANI: There are some limitations of how far we can go because we don't want to create any political sensitivities with the -- with the Arabs. And for the rest of the region, we need cooperation and the Iraqi army to participate.

BLACK: Much of the territory reclaimed by Kurdish forces has been scarred dramatically by war. Homes flattened. Villages wiped out.

(on camera): ISIS blew up some of these homes as they retreated. Others, they were rigged with explosives to detonate when people returned. Locals say four people were killed here when they opened the front door.

(voice-over): Across this recent battle field, people have started returning to what's left of their homes, even as the war against ISIS still rages only a short distance away.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(live): So far, the Kurds believe they have cleared ISIS from some 5,000 square miles in northern Iraq. Much of it between Mosul and the Syrian border. But as you heard there, they don't think they can do much more on their own because the remaining key areas, this town of Tal Afar, the city of Mosul, these are dominant Arab areas. And because of the ethnic sensitivities in this country, it is -- they do not believe it is advisable for them to progress without the Iraqi army. But it is still unclear, Wolf, just when that national military force will be ready to launch that sort of major operation -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, we know that U.S. Marines are trying to train the Iraqi army. But at least so far, even though this is all Iraq, that Iraqi army remains MIA, missing in action. The Peshmerga basically fighting on their own against ISIS. Phil, thanks very, very much.

France's most wanted woman may have linked up with ISIS. Hayat Boumeddiene, the widow of the gunman who attacked that kosher supermarket in Paris is believed to have crossed into Syria before last month's deadly assault.

And now, the ISIS French language magazine, "Darul Islam," claims she has safely reached the Islamic state, as they call it, in Syria. The article contains a purported interview with Boumeddiene in which she says reaching ISIS territory was easy and she's happy to be on ISIS soil. But she does not talk about her role in the Paris attacks. The magazine also offers no proof to authenticate any of these claims. Let's bring in our CNN Intelligence and Security Analyst Bob Baer and our CNN Terrorism Analyst Paul Cruickshank. Paul, you led CNN's reporting on this purported interview. If ISIS claims are true, why not include, for example, any photos, some proof that Boumeddiene has actually linked up with the terror group in Syria?

PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: Well, absolutely, Wolf. And they haven't done that yet. Obviously, for religious reasons, they wouldn't show her in a photo without the full veil. But they could put out a photo just showing her eyes with the full veil. They've not done that yet. But French terror experts thinks that this claim is credible. It was in this French language magazine from ISIS yesterday. Also, in their English language magazine today, claiming that she's now on ISIS soil, that she's joined this caliphate.

BLITZER: You also have some new information, Paul, about that Belgium ISIS plot from last month, right?

CRUICKSHANK: That's right, Wolf. And the suspected ring leader in that plot, Abdul Hamid Abiud (ph), ISIS are now claiming that he's back in Syria, that he's evaded this international man hunt to get him. And they actually include what they claim is an interview with him in Syria. They also include pictures of him and the two dead gunmen in that raid that Belgian security forces conducted in eastern Belgium last month.

And I've spoken to a senior Belgian counterterrorism official who says that they were actually the two gunmen killed in that raid. So, there's a picture of him with these two gunmen that they took before he left Syria. He's then thought to have traveled to Greece to coordinate the plot. And ISIS are now saying he's back safely in Syria. So, another potential propaganda coup from this terrorist group -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Bob Baer, the new issue of this ISIS magazine is entitled, and I'm quoting now, "May Ala Curse France." (ph) The cover shot is of the Eiffel Tower being guarded by French soldiers. What's their message here? What are they trying to do?

ROBERT BAER, CNN INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY ANALYST: Well, they consider France a combatant trying to destroy the Islamic state and that any Frenchmen, just about any Frenchmen, are enemy combatants. Same way with Britain and, of course, the United States. You know, but I think, Wolf, the important thing is what Paul got onto is that the Islamic state is it still on the move. They're on the move in Yemen. They're on the move in North Africa and Libya. And for Boumeddiene to go over to the Islamic state and take refuge with them makes sense. It's the only game in town. And I think we're seeing, you know, this staying power. The Islamic state is going longer than I expected and it's going to take quite a bit to turn this back.

BLITZER: Well, in Iraq, for example, the Peshmerga, we heard Phil Black, Bob, report, the Kurdish fighters, they're trying to do the best they can against these ISIS forces in the area, northern Iraq around Mosul and elsewhere. But there's still no sign the Iraqi military has showed up to help out at all. What's going on over there? They have a huge military, but they're MIA.

BAER: Well, Wolf, exactly. I mean, even now, until today, the Iraqi state is starving the Kurds of ammunition and guns. They're just simply not delivering stuff meant for the Peshmerga. And Diyala Province was taken back not by the Iraqi army but by the Bradder (ph) brigade which is an Iranian trade brigade. So, you still see Baghdad identified with Iran more than a -- than a cohesive state. So, the fact that the army hasn't showed up is not a good sign. And I understand why the Kurds wouldn't want to move into Mosul because then it becomes a war of Kurds against Arabs.

BLITZER: It's the second biggest city in Iraq, nearly 2 million people in Mosul still under the control of ISIS.

All right, guys, stand by.

Coming up, we're moving onto another major story following here in the United States. A day of grief in North Carolina. Families and friends say final good-bye to three wonderful Muslim students gunned down execution style. We're going to bring you the very latest on the investigation.

Also, Ukraine and Russia, they agree to a peace deal, but does it have any real chance of lasting? We're going live to Minsk. We're also going live to the front lines in Ukraine.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Right now, family and friends, they're paying their final respects to three Muslim college students gunned down in their apartment on Tuesday. Funeral services are being held this hour on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Last night, a candle light vigil paid tribute to the victims as police try to unravel whether this was a hate crime.

CNN's Jean Cesarez is on the scene and has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want everyone to remember them, please, only for in the good.

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Heartbreak and outrage over the murder of three Muslim students in North Carolina.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So, I heard about eight shots go off in an apartment, more than one girl screaming.

CASAREZ: Friends and family deeming their execution style killing a hate crime.

DR. SUZANNE BARAKAT: It's basically incomprehensible to me that you can murder three people over a parking spot.

CASAREZ: According to a preliminary investigation, police say 46- year-old neighbor Craig Hicks may have shot Razan Abu-Salha, sister Yusor Abu-Salha and Deah Barakat in the head over an ongoing parking dispute at their apartment. Hicks' wife says her husband was frustrated with the parking issue.

KAREN HICKS: I can say with absolute belief that this incident had nothing to do with religion or victims' faith.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're in shock.

CASAREZ: But the family says there had been issues of disrespect and harassment.

MOHAMMAD ABU-SALHA: My daughter, honest to god, told us on more than two occasions that this man came knocking at the door. She told us, daddy, I think he hates us for who we are.

CASAREZ: Hicks, who claims he is an atheist, allegedly posted an anti-religious statement on his Facebook page, quote, "If your religion kept its big mouth shut, so would I." CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of this post.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you. We will never forget you.

CASAREZ (voiceover): Overnight, thousands gathered on University of North Carolina's campus.

DEAH BARAKAT, UNC MURDER VICTIM (home video): I'm embarking on a trip to Turkey with ten dentists to help Syrian refugees (INAUDIBLE) dental care.

CASAREZ (voiceover ): Mourning the loss of three scholars dedicated to serving their community.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CASAREZ: And I was able to confirm with the chief medical examiner's office that there were three autopsies done on these victims yesterday. We also know that the investigation continues now to determine, in fact, if this was a hate crime, if it was motivated by a bias against Muslims. The FBI is here assisting local law enforcement and we're learning a little bit more about 46-year-old Craig -- Craig Hicks, the defendant in this case. He is a full-time student at the Durham Technical Community College about to get his degree in law. He is set to get his paralegal degree in May. But the reality is, he is in behind bars right now facing three counts of first-degree murder.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The allegation is that he took a gun and he shot all three of these wonderful young students right in the head in that apartment. Is that right?

CASAREZ: That's right. And residents are saying that he had a side to him that he was so upset constantly about parking places and who would park where and if he saw a car that he didn't recognize and that he was always getting on people. Now we're hearing an aspect of maybe this wasn't motivated by hate, but just a paranoia in regard to people and cars and parking. If so, that doesn't mean he can't be convicted of first-degree murder. Here in North Carolina, it's day for day. Life in prison or death.

BLITZER: Thanks very much, Jean Casarez. We're going to dig deeper into this story. Our senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin is standing by. Also, our global affairs analyst Bobby Ghosh. She's written extensively on Muslims, Islamophobia, in the United States. Much more coming up on this important story right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, the communities there all mourning the loss of three wonderful Muslim students. At this hour, a funeral service at the Islamic Center in Raleigh is being held right now. You're looking at live pictures coming in. The sister of the victim, Deah Barakat, spoke last night with Anderson Cooper about the three young lives that were lost.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: You say you know there had been some interactions. Do you think they had anything to do with your brother's religion, with how he was perceived by this person?

DR. SUZANNA BARAKAT, SISTER OF VICTIM: Having heard secondhand from what a very close friend of Yusor's had said that basically he had said because of the way you look and not comfortable with A., the way you look and -- I'm really sorry.

COOPER: It's okay.

BARAKAT: This is really hard.

COOPER: I know.

BARAKAT: I go from being in denial to being really numb to being really angry. I came here today in hopes of shining light on Deah's legacy and Yusor's and Razan's. And for the three of them, that has been dedication to service. And I want to make sure that they are recognized for that and that the world realizes what we have lost in the loss of these three incredibly brilliant, bright, beautiful, accomplished, successful, respectful, loved three young people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What a horrible, horrible story. Take a look at this. We're looking at live pictures coming in. This is a prayer service being held at the Islamic Center of Raleigh for these three wonderful young kids. Let's listen in briefly a little bit to the prayer.

(LIVE VIDEO OF PRAYER VIGIL FOR SLAIN MUSLIM STUDENTS)

BLITZER: So there's the prayer, the memorial prayer, for these three wonderful young students who were brutally killed, brutally killed, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. You see the father there in the middle of the screen of the two young women who were killed, shot in the head, allegedly by this neighbor of theirs, 46-year-old Craig Stephen Hicks. He turned himself in. This memorial service is continuing right now. I want to discuss what's going on. We'll take a quick break, right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Funeral services are underway right now in Raleigh, North Carolina at the Islamic Center in memory of three wonderful young Muslim students. Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23 years old, Yusor Mohammad, 21, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19 years old. Three wonderful students gunned down the other night in their apartment in Chapel Hill for apparently no reason. Supposedly, maybe a parking dispute. It doesn't make any sense.