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  CNN BREAKING NEWS
  Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad
  Aired December 22, 2003 - 08:12 ET
  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
  ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Soledad, we are just getting word in that two U.S. soldiers have been killed in Baghdad.
  For the latest, let's go live to Rym Brahimi in Baghdad -- good morning, Rym.
  RYM BRAHIMI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Anderson.
  Indeed, the two U.S. soldiers were the 1st Armored Division and one of their interpreters were killed. Two other U.S. soldiers were wounded. That's when an improvised explosive device hit their convoy in a neighborhood north of Baghdad. Apparently one of the vehicles was also put out of action. And these are the details we have for the time being.
  This was, as you know, Anderson, one of many such incidents that have happened in the past few months since the U.S. presence in Iraq -- Anderson.
  COOPER: What about the situation elsewhere in the country? More violence?
  BRAHIMI: Well, you see, there is generally quite a bit of violence still. And I know that there were a lot of questions as to whether or not the capture of Saddam Hussein would reduce the violence or not. But even if you don't have these attacks against U.S. soldiers, you also have revenge killings. You have different types of violence.
  We just heard an explosion now. We're going to find out what it is.
  But there have been, that said, many, many raids, widespread raids, especially in the so-called Sunni Triangle. Now, U.S. officials tell us that in Ba'qubah, about 60 kilometers north of Baghdad, they've actually captured a very high level former official from the regime of Saddam. They haven't given us more details on what his rank and name were, but they say that's a very big get.
  And then you've got a huge operation under way in Rahwah (ph), which is toward the west of the country, on the way to the border with Syria, if you will. And there have been nearly 200 insurgents captured, according to coalition sources, including, they say, 11 high level targets.
  In Falluja, a hotbed of insurgency, people -- the U.S. soldiers were going into house to house searches to find weapons, as well -- Anderson.
  COOPER: All right, Rym Brahimi live in Baghdad.
  Thanks very much, Rym.
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