(TAKE VT)
IN: NATSOT Chanting.Celebrating the success of their mission even when its just a practice run. Parents in Iraq always warned their children to beware of the wolf.
Nowadays, the Iraqi and American governments are warning insurgents to watch out for the Wolf Brigade.UPSOT
These are Ministry of Interior troops: 1,200 men in a unit set up 14 months ago to tackle the insurgency bedevilling Iraq. It was at a Ministry building that American troops discovered nearly 200 Sunni detainees last month.Some showed signs of torture. The Ministry and its paramilitary forces are accused of sectarianism and of being infiltrated by Shia militia.
SOT/ASTON AT 101: Major al IbrahimiDeputy Commander, Unit 1, The Wolf Brigade(SOT VOICED OVER ALREADY BY TIM LAMBON)Im a Shia. But if we catch a terrorist, a murderer, a beheader or a car bomber and hes a Shia, my conscience and my sense of Iraqi nationalism will stop me treating him preferentially. These people are fighting against the development of our new democracy.
Major al Ibrahimi, is deputy commander of one of the Brigades 3 units.Hes watching an Al Qaeda recruitment video, found on a recent raid. It specifically accuses the Wolf Brigade of committing outrages against Iraqis and a string of allegations against them suggest they do torture suspects.
The video also reveals the enormity of the task ahead for the government and coalition forces. This smiling face is that of a killer. A suicide bomber, apparently happy with his choice, about to attack an American convoy and die in the process.
On the same mission is this man:
ASTON: ABU ZAID AL MAQDESI, Suicide bomber.Al Qaeda recruitment video
SOT TRANSLATION (TO BE VOICED AT ITN): I swear by Allah, the distance between us and heaven is the press of a button like this (as he gestures). We ask Allah to accept our work and make us successful in our mission. Please join us and be guided by Allah and we will meet in Paradise god willing.
Minutes after the first bomber, he detonates his car.
NATSOT BOOM
Major al IbrahimiDeputy Commander, Unit 1, The Wolf BrigadeThey think that the prophet will reward them for pressing that button even though it will kill women and children in markets and in streets. Well, their intentions are revealed to everybody worldwide - to anyone who has a conscience.
And worldwide, says Sergeant Hassan Al Badri, people think the Wolf Brigade is the best equipped of Iraqs new forces. He complains the terrorists have better weapons and that the Wolves have to buy basics, like boots, with their own money.
Sgt Hassan al Badri, Wolf BrigadeSOT TRANSLATION (TO BE VOICED AT ITN): In Saddams time, when we were in the Republican Guard, we were supplied with good lockers to keep our clothes and personal effects in and there were only four soldiers in each room. Now we have to keep our stuff in a cardboard box because we have no lockers.
We came to help the coalition and Iraqi forces to eradicate terrorism. They dont care! Why should we work hard if they dont give us what we need?
The Americans visiting the base should care if they want to go home. Theyre among the 160,000 US troops currently in Iraq: a number that was increased ahead of the elections next week. George Bush hopes democracy and a trained Iraqi force of 214,000 means he can withdraw at least 30,000 of his troops next year.
But even this elite Iraqi unit has a long way to go. A frantic call comes through asking the Major to rescue his General from what appears to be a kidnap or assassination attempt. So where are his crack troops?
It takes nearly 15 minutes from the first call for the Major to assemble his men. NATSOTAston over natsot: Action stations!The response is hardly urgent.Aston over natsot: Hurry up!
It takes another 10 minutes to reach the scene. The General, who asked not to be identified, had been stopped by men dressed in police uniforms. Theyd threatened to kill him and shots were fired. But once they realised his unit was on its way, they fled leaving the General looking a little sheepish as the wolves arrive.
Exactly, who the perpertrators were was unclear. The next threat may be closer to home.
One of his men, Private Ali, says his cousin, whos an insurgent, told him to set the General up for an assassination attempt. When he refused, the cousin kidnapped Alis brother to force his cooperation. Ali asked his unit commander and the Americans to mount a rescue attempt: he says theyve repaid his loyalty by doing nothing.
ASTON AT 507: Private Ali, Wolf Brigade
I know the group thats holding my brother. But nobody will help me to free him. I know how this group operates. If I could catch one of them, hed tell me where my brothers being held. If we dont rescue him soon, theyll kill him and throw away the body, I just know they will.
So the wolf is prey as well as predator. Portrayed by the media as a Shia force, the reality is that it contains many Sunnis, making it open to infiltration from both sides. In its training sessions Brigade members are taught to emulate the strength and cunning of the wolf. But theyve also copied another characteristic of the animal: a savagery that belies the smile. Martin Adler, Channel Four News, Baghdad.
IN: NATSOT Chanting.Celebrating the success of their mission even when its just a practice run. Parents in Iraq always warned their children to beware of the wolf.
Nowadays, the Iraqi and American governments are warning insurgents to watch out for the Wolf Brigade.UPSOT
These are Ministry of Interior troops: 1,200 men in a unit set up 14 months ago to tackle the insurgency bedevilling Iraq. It was at a Ministry building that American troops discovered nearly 200 Sunni detainees last month.Some showed signs of torture. The Ministry and its paramilitary forces are accused of sectarianism and of being infiltrated by Shia militia.
SOT/ASTON AT 101: Major al IbrahimiDeputy Commander, Unit 1, The Wolf Brigade(SOT VOICED OVER ALREADY BY TIM LAMBON)Im a Shia. But if we catch a terrorist, a murderer, a beheader or a car bomber and hes a Shia, my conscience and my sense of Iraqi nationalism will stop me treating him preferentially. These people are fighting against the development of our new democracy.
Major al Ibrahimi, is deputy commander of one of the Brigades 3 units.Hes watching an Al Qaeda recruitment video, found on a recent raid. It specifically accuses the Wolf Brigade of committing outrages against Iraqis and a string of allegations against them suggest they do torture suspects.
The video also reveals the enormity of the task ahead for the government and coalition forces. This smiling face is that of a killer. A suicide bomber, apparently happy with his choice, about to attack an American convoy and die in the process.
On the same mission is this man:
ASTON: ABU ZAID AL MAQDESI, Suicide bomber.Al Qaeda recruitment video
SOT TRANSLATION (TO BE VOICED AT ITN): I swear by Allah, the distance between us and heaven is the press of a button like this (as he gestures). We ask Allah to accept our work and make us successful in our mission. Please join us and be guided by Allah and we will meet in Paradise god willing.
Minutes after the first bomber, he detonates his car.
NATSOT BOOM
Major al IbrahimiDeputy Commander, Unit 1, The Wolf BrigadeThey think that the prophet will reward them for pressing that button even though it will kill women and children in markets and in streets. Well, their intentions are revealed to everybody worldwide - to anyone who has a conscience.
And worldwide, says Sergeant Hassan Al Badri, people think the Wolf Brigade is the best equipped of Iraqs new forces. He complains the terrorists have better weapons and that the Wolves have to buy basics, like boots, with their own money.
Sgt Hassan al Badri, Wolf BrigadeSOT TRANSLATION (TO BE VOICED AT ITN): In Saddams time, when we were in the Republican Guard, we were supplied with good lockers to keep our clothes and personal effects in and there were only four soldiers in each room. Now we have to keep our stuff in a cardboard box because we have no lockers.
We came to help the coalition and Iraqi forces to eradicate terrorism. They dont care! Why should we work hard if they dont give us what we need?
The Americans visiting the base should care if they want to go home. Theyre among the 160,000 US troops currently in Iraq: a number that was increased ahead of the elections next week. George Bush hopes democracy and a trained Iraqi force of 214,000 means he can withdraw at least 30,000 of his troops next year.
But even this elite Iraqi unit has a long way to go. A frantic call comes through asking the Major to rescue his General from what appears to be a kidnap or assassination attempt. So where are his crack troops?
It takes nearly 15 minutes from the first call for the Major to assemble his men. NATSOTAston over natsot: Action stations!The response is hardly urgent.Aston over natsot: Hurry up!
It takes another 10 minutes to reach the scene. The General, who asked not to be identified, had been stopped by men dressed in police uniforms. Theyd threatened to kill him and shots were fired. But once they realised his unit was on its way, they fled leaving the General looking a little sheepish as the wolves arrive.
Exactly, who the perpertrators were was unclear. The next threat may be closer to home.
One of his men, Private Ali, says his cousin, whos an insurgent, told him to set the General up for an assassination attempt. When he refused, the cousin kidnapped Alis brother to force his cooperation. Ali asked his unit commander and the Americans to mount a rescue attempt: he says theyve repaid his loyalty by doing nothing.
ASTON AT 507: Private Ali, Wolf Brigade
I know the group thats holding my brother. But nobody will help me to free him. I know how this group operates. If I could catch one of them, hed tell me where my brothers being held. If we dont rescue him soon, theyll kill him and throw away the body, I just know they will.
So the wolf is prey as well as predator. Portrayed by the media as a Shia force, the reality is that it contains many Sunnis, making it open to infiltration from both sides. In its training sessions Brigade members are taught to emulate the strength and cunning of the wolf. But theyve also copied another characteristic of the animal: a savagery that belies the smile. Martin Adler, Channel Four News, Baghdad.