Iraq - Fighting a Guerrilla War
July 7 min 00 sec
00.01
It is mid-day in Bagdad. Temperatures soar up to 48 degrees. But it is the threat of attack from rebel Iraqi terrorists that is making the US soldiers sweat. We accompany the patrol alpha 2/6 on the roads of Bagdad, they are up against the new threat of a re-organised guerilla campaign working in Al Queada style cells.
00.18
O.T. Christopher Tillery, US - Army
"There’s always danger around. "
00.22
Serious attacks on US convoys has become a daily event, and a lethal pattern of attack is emerging – rocket propelled grenades, followed up by Kalahnicov machine gun fire. This US army vehicle was completely destroyed.
00.34 O.T. Jose Robles, Lieutenant colonel US - Army
"We’re not completely clear right now whether it was a grenade or a rocket propellered granade or what. It was fired against the third vehicle in a three vehicle convoy and there were some injuries but they have been taken to a medical facility and are being treated and we’re trying to discern right now what happened."
00.51
Many of the innocent victims were Iraqi civilians.
00.58 O.T. Ali Hamed, Eye-witness
“4 Fedajeen attacked US - vehicles. The soldiers shot back wildly and an innocent man and woman were shot."
01.08
Civilians were also hit in this vehicle, which just happened to be driving by at the time.
01.15 O.T. Ali Hamed, Eye-witness
"I welcome the attacks against the Americans and believe me, the resistance against the occupiers will increase futher."
01.24
The patrol alpha 2/6 is is on high alert in the wake of the constant attacks.
01.29 O.T. Seth Foster, Patrol Commander.
“Stay alert, stay alive, that’s how we avoid danger. As you can see we have 3 60 security around us at all times. I make sure nothing happens to the back of me and the two guys make sure nothing is going on to the right, to the left and to the front."
01.48
The ardous task of searching through buildings also belongs to his patrol. Here in the former Iraqi Information Ministry there are still opportunist thieves, even though all valuable articles have already been stolen.
02.04
Some petty thieved are stealing just to survive. But the US soldiers must treat each crime equally with official proceedures, to restore order and saftey on the streets.
02.16
More thieves are in the building, translate the bring along interpreter. And again one is seized.
02.35 O.T. Bernard Visocchi, US - Army
“I don’t have fear out here, I’m just catious, you know. Low conflict and high conflict – you got to relate the two, to know when to differ, know when to react and when not to react. Like with these guys. Just stay still. If they have a weapon pointed at us then it’s a little different."
02.55
A secret flyer, calls all Iraqis to avoid American checkpoints and convoys.
Radical shiite groups demonstrate here for the release of their Imam, in American ’safekeeping’ for four weeks.
Many assume that it is these groups that are behind the organized attacks against American soldiers.
03.19 O.T. Sabah Mahmoud Al Dulami, Imam
"We are against the Americans. You defeated the Iraqi army, however there are 25 million of us prepared to fight for our God, and if they do not disappear soon, then we will rise up and get them all".
03.31
In the favourite Sunni mosque of Saddam Hussein there is a call to prayer. This mosque with the name Abu Hanefa could be the base of the radical Sunni’s, the second largest religious movement in Iran, and Saddams own religious group.
03.44 O:T. Sheikh Ibrahim Al Ahdamy, Imam
”If America believes us Muslims are just puppets to be used as they like, then they have been greatly mistaken".
03.51
In front of the mosque are books on sale on Osama Bin Laden. A worrying development, and an indication of the resistance against the Americans.
03.57O.T. Sheikh Ibrahim Al Ahdamy, Imam
“We are not the ones who control the resistance against the occupiers. There some people who are unhappy with the Americans, because of the way they have dealt with us. These individuals have decided to take up arms and go on the attack."
04.14
It is still unclear exactly who makes up the resistance against the US army. But it has become clear that an organized network has emerged to fight against the Americans in a guerilla style campaign.
04.23
In one of the traditional coffee houses of Bagdad we meet Akram Hamed. The English professor echoes the views of many of his compatriots.
04.37 Prof. Akram Hamed, Lehrer
“The Iraqi’s no longer greet and smile at the Americans. 10 weeks have gone and still there is no bridge over the river. It is as hot, and we do not have any form of air conditioning. There is no water and no security in this country. The Americans have just made false promises and given empty words. So that the population is now more disappointed than with the old regime."
05.09
Major Sean Gibson, speaker of the coalition troops, does not accept that all these problems can be blamed on the Americans.
05.18 O.T. Major Sean Gibson, Speaker for the Coalition troops
”I can tell you that overall, throughout the country, conditions are improving. We ask for people’s patience. We’re working very hard and investing a great deal of time and energy, as a matter of fact money, to improve people’s conditions but it’s going to take time. You have to remember that just several months ago this place was run by a brutal dictator."
05.38
The statues and images of Saddam Hussein no longer dominate life in Iraq. But although his statues may have been toppled it appears the man himself is still alive, surviving as a figurehead for some of the guerrilla fighters. Now speaking on tape, apparently calling for resistance against all occupation troops, in the same way as Osama Bin Laden.
05.59
These are two of Saddams best cooks, now preparing Saddams favourite dish for a world team of journalists: Vegetables stuffed with rice, deer meat and lamb.
06.17 O.T. Sannaa Jassime, Saddam Husseins personal cook
”I personally do not know where Saddam is right now. But I am sure that he is in Iraq. He is a son of Iraq and is not afraid to hide himself here. He can go everywhere, because many doors will still open for him.“
06.33
Alpha 2/6 terminated their patrol after two hours in blistering heat. For the soldiers today was a good day.
07.01 O.T. Seth Foster, Patrol Commander
“Five thieves got away, we captured two. That’s a pretty good day."
06.47
With their two prisoners they go back to the base. The men of alpha 2/6 are relieved that they have not become today’s target for attack.
CREDITS
ORF
Reporter: Gerhard Tuschla
Camera: Philip Birkenstock
Editor: Werner Schmeisser
July 7 min 00 sec
00.01
It is mid-day in Bagdad. Temperatures soar up to 48 degrees. But it is the threat of attack from rebel Iraqi terrorists that is making the US soldiers sweat. We accompany the patrol alpha 2/6 on the roads of Bagdad, they are up against the new threat of a re-organised guerilla campaign working in Al Queada style cells.
00.18
O.T. Christopher Tillery, US - Army
"There’s always danger around. "
00.22
Serious attacks on US convoys has become a daily event, and a lethal pattern of attack is emerging – rocket propelled grenades, followed up by Kalahnicov machine gun fire. This US army vehicle was completely destroyed.
00.34 O.T. Jose Robles, Lieutenant colonel US - Army
"We’re not completely clear right now whether it was a grenade or a rocket propellered granade or what. It was fired against the third vehicle in a three vehicle convoy and there were some injuries but they have been taken to a medical facility and are being treated and we’re trying to discern right now what happened."
00.51
Many of the innocent victims were Iraqi civilians.
00.58 O.T. Ali Hamed, Eye-witness
“4 Fedajeen attacked US - vehicles. The soldiers shot back wildly and an innocent man and woman were shot."
01.08
Civilians were also hit in this vehicle, which just happened to be driving by at the time.
01.15 O.T. Ali Hamed, Eye-witness
"I welcome the attacks against the Americans and believe me, the resistance against the occupiers will increase futher."
01.24
The patrol alpha 2/6 is is on high alert in the wake of the constant attacks.
01.29 O.T. Seth Foster, Patrol Commander.
“Stay alert, stay alive, that’s how we avoid danger. As you can see we have 3 60 security around us at all times. I make sure nothing happens to the back of me and the two guys make sure nothing is going on to the right, to the left and to the front."
01.48
The ardous task of searching through buildings also belongs to his patrol. Here in the former Iraqi Information Ministry there are still opportunist thieves, even though all valuable articles have already been stolen.
02.04
Some petty thieved are stealing just to survive. But the US soldiers must treat each crime equally with official proceedures, to restore order and saftey on the streets.
02.16
More thieves are in the building, translate the bring along interpreter. And again one is seized.
02.35 O.T. Bernard Visocchi, US - Army
“I don’t have fear out here, I’m just catious, you know. Low conflict and high conflict – you got to relate the two, to know when to differ, know when to react and when not to react. Like with these guys. Just stay still. If they have a weapon pointed at us then it’s a little different."
02.55
A secret flyer, calls all Iraqis to avoid American checkpoints and convoys.
Radical shiite groups demonstrate here for the release of their Imam, in American ’safekeeping’ for four weeks.
Many assume that it is these groups that are behind the organized attacks against American soldiers.
03.19 O.T. Sabah Mahmoud Al Dulami, Imam
"We are against the Americans. You defeated the Iraqi army, however there are 25 million of us prepared to fight for our God, and if they do not disappear soon, then we will rise up and get them all".
03.31
In the favourite Sunni mosque of Saddam Hussein there is a call to prayer. This mosque with the name Abu Hanefa could be the base of the radical Sunni’s, the second largest religious movement in Iran, and Saddams own religious group.
03.44 O:T. Sheikh Ibrahim Al Ahdamy, Imam
”If America believes us Muslims are just puppets to be used as they like, then they have been greatly mistaken".
03.51
In front of the mosque are books on sale on Osama Bin Laden. A worrying development, and an indication of the resistance against the Americans.
03.57O.T. Sheikh Ibrahim Al Ahdamy, Imam
“We are not the ones who control the resistance against the occupiers. There some people who are unhappy with the Americans, because of the way they have dealt with us. These individuals have decided to take up arms and go on the attack."
04.14
It is still unclear exactly who makes up the resistance against the US army. But it has become clear that an organized network has emerged to fight against the Americans in a guerilla style campaign.
04.23
In one of the traditional coffee houses of Bagdad we meet Akram Hamed. The English professor echoes the views of many of his compatriots.
04.37 Prof. Akram Hamed, Lehrer
“The Iraqi’s no longer greet and smile at the Americans. 10 weeks have gone and still there is no bridge over the river. It is as hot, and we do not have any form of air conditioning. There is no water and no security in this country. The Americans have just made false promises and given empty words. So that the population is now more disappointed than with the old regime."
05.09
Major Sean Gibson, speaker of the coalition troops, does not accept that all these problems can be blamed on the Americans.
05.18 O.T. Major Sean Gibson, Speaker for the Coalition troops
”I can tell you that overall, throughout the country, conditions are improving. We ask for people’s patience. We’re working very hard and investing a great deal of time and energy, as a matter of fact money, to improve people’s conditions but it’s going to take time. You have to remember that just several months ago this place was run by a brutal dictator."
05.38
The statues and images of Saddam Hussein no longer dominate life in Iraq. But although his statues may have been toppled it appears the man himself is still alive, surviving as a figurehead for some of the guerrilla fighters. Now speaking on tape, apparently calling for resistance against all occupation troops, in the same way as Osama Bin Laden.
05.59
These are two of Saddams best cooks, now preparing Saddams favourite dish for a world team of journalists: Vegetables stuffed with rice, deer meat and lamb.
06.17 O.T. Sannaa Jassime, Saddam Husseins personal cook
”I personally do not know where Saddam is right now. But I am sure that he is in Iraq. He is a son of Iraq and is not afraid to hide himself here. He can go everywhere, because many doors will still open for him.“
06.33
Alpha 2/6 terminated their patrol after two hours in blistering heat. For the soldiers today was a good day.
07.01 O.T. Seth Foster, Patrol Commander
“Five thieves got away, we captured two. That’s a pretty good day."
06.47
With their two prisoners they go back to the base. The men of alpha 2/6 are relieved that they have not become today’s target for attack.
CREDITS
ORF
Reporter: Gerhard Tuschla
Camera: Philip Birkenstock
Editor: Werner Schmeisser