1 00:00:00,733 --> 00:00:01,566 >> Sreenivasan: AN UNEXPLODED 2 00:00:01,566 --> 00:00:02,700 ROCKET LANDED CLOSE TO A 3 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:03,866 MILITARY BASE HOSTING U.S. 4 00:00:03,866 --> 00:00:05,733 TROOPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ TODAY. 5 00:00:05,733 --> 00:00:07,000 THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, 6 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:08,533 BUT THE ATTACK WAS THE LATEST 7 00:00:08,533 --> 00:00:10,066 TARGETING THE AMERICAN MILITARY 8 00:00:10,066 --> 00:00:11,533 PRESENCE IN THE COUNTRY. 9 00:00:11,533 --> 00:00:13,733 ABOUT 2,500 U.S. TROOPS REMAIN 10 00:00:13,733 --> 00:00:15,000 IN IRAQ AS PART OF THE 11 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:16,733 MULTINATIONAL COALITION FORCE IN 12 00:00:16,733 --> 00:00:18,233 THE FIGHT AGAINST ISIS. 13 00:00:18,233 --> 00:00:19,933 IT'S THE LOWEST U.S. MILITARY 14 00:00:19,933 --> 00:00:22,133 PRESENCE THERE IN TWO DECADES. 15 00:00:22,133 --> 00:00:23,466 AND WHILE ISIS HAS LOST 16 00:00:23,466 --> 00:00:25,433 TERRITORIAL CONTROL, THE THREAT 17 00:00:25,433 --> 00:00:27,500 OF A RESURGENCE REMAINS IF THE 18 00:00:27,500 --> 00:00:28,900 MILITARY WERE TO PULL OUT 19 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:30,033 ALTOGETHER. 20 00:00:30,033 --> 00:00:31,033 NEWSHOUR WEEKEND SPECIAL 21 00:00:31,033 --> 00:00:32,566 CORRESPONDENT LEILA MOLANA- 22 00:00:32,566 --> 00:00:34,433 ALLEN, AND VIDEOGRAPHER ADRIAN 23 00:00:34,433 --> 00:00:36,700 HARTRICK, WERE GRANTED ACCESS TO 24 00:00:36,700 --> 00:00:38,800 TRAVEL TO BASES ACROSS IRAQ THAT 25 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:40,933 STILL HAVE A U.S. PRESENCE TO 26 00:00:40,933 --> 00:00:44,933 FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING AND 27 00:00:42,633 --> 00:00:46,066 WHAT THEIR FUTURE PLANS ARE. 28 00:00:46,066 --> 00:00:47,066 >> Reporter: TOUCHING DOWN AT A 29 00:00:47,066 --> 00:00:48,600 KURDISH BASE IN NORTH IRAQ, 30 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,133 COALITION SPECIAL FORCES ARRIVE 31 00:00:50,133 --> 00:00:52,100 TO PROVIDE TACTICAL TRAINING. 32 00:00:52,100 --> 00:00:53,866 JUST A FEW YEARS AGO THIS BASE 33 00:00:53,866 --> 00:00:55,200 WAS FULL OF AMERICANS. 34 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:56,566 BUT NOW, LIKE OTHERS ACROSS 35 00:00:56,566 --> 00:00:58,200 IRAQ, IT'S BEEN HANDED BACK TO 36 00:00:58,200 --> 00:00:59,700 LOCAL FORCES. 37 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:01,033 THIS IS WHAT THE FOREIGN TROOP 38 00:01:01,033 --> 00:01:03,233 PRESENCE IN IRAQ NOW LOOKS LIKE: 39 00:01:03,233 --> 00:01:06,033 TRAINING, EQUIPPING, ADVISING." 40 00:01:06,033 --> 00:01:07,733 NO COMBAT TROOPS" HAS BECOME 41 00:01:07,733 --> 00:01:09,366 THE TOP LINE IN EFFORTS TO WALK 42 00:01:09,366 --> 00:01:11,133 THE DIPLOMATIC TIGHTROPE OVER 43 00:01:11,133 --> 00:01:13,166 TENSIONS THAT U.S. TROOPS STILL 44 00:01:13,166 --> 00:01:15,300 REMAIN IN IRAQ 18 YEARS AFTER 45 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:16,900 THE INVASION. 46 00:01:16,900 --> 00:01:18,366 EARLIER THIS YEAR THE AMERICAN 47 00:01:18,366 --> 00:01:19,966 MILITARY COMPLETED AN AGREED 48 00:01:19,966 --> 00:01:22,266 REDUCTION TO 2,500 TROOPS 49 00:01:22,266 --> 00:01:23,766 COUNTRY-WIDE. 50 00:01:23,766 --> 00:01:25,633 NOW THEY'RE IN TALKS TO WITHDRAW 51 00:01:25,633 --> 00:01:27,133 ALTOGETHER. 52 00:01:27,133 --> 00:01:28,600 THEIR STATED MISSION IS TO 53 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:29,933 DEFEAT ISIS. 54 00:01:29,933 --> 00:01:31,133 WHILE THE GROUP NO LONGER HAS 55 00:01:31,133 --> 00:01:32,500 ANY TERRITORY, THEIR SCATTERED 56 00:01:32,500 --> 00:01:34,466 REMNANTS ARE STILL A THREAT. 57 00:01:34,466 --> 00:01:36,133 WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN 58 00:01:36,133 --> 00:01:38,000 RIGHT NOW IF THERE WAS A FULL 59 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:38,866 DRAWDOWN? 60 00:01:38,866 --> 00:01:40,033 >> THE DEFINITE RISKS ARE AN 61 00:01:40,033 --> 00:01:42,166 ISIS RESURGENCE POTENTIALLY. 62 00:01:42,166 --> 00:01:43,466 THE ENABLING CAPACITY THAT THE 63 00:01:43,466 --> 00:01:46,766 COALITION PROVIDES IS REALLY 64 00:01:46,766 --> 00:01:48,066 ESSENTIAL TO THE IRAQI SECURITY 65 00:01:48,066 --> 00:01:49,066 FORCES AND THE KURDISH SECURITY 66 00:01:49,066 --> 00:01:49,966 FORCES. 67 00:01:49,966 --> 00:01:51,066 >> Reporter: COLONEL DAVID 68 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:52,066 WILLIAMS IS THE CHIEF COALITION 69 00:01:52,066 --> 00:01:53,300 LIAISON WITH KURDISH FORCES IN 70 00:01:53,300 --> 00:01:54,800 THE NORTH. 71 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:56,100 THE COALITION HAS PROVIDED 72 00:01:56,100 --> 00:01:57,700 INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR YEARS TO 73 00:01:57,700 --> 00:01:59,133 THE PESHMERGA, THE KURDISH 74 00:01:59,133 --> 00:02:01,133 SECURITY FORCES, EQUIPPING THEM 75 00:02:01,133 --> 00:02:02,700 WITH HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY GEAR 76 00:02:02,700 --> 00:02:04,700 AND, SOME SAY, HELPING THEM TURN 77 00:02:04,700 --> 00:02:06,400 A MOUNTAIN MILITIA INTO A WELL- 78 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,133 HONED AND MODERN FIGHTING FORCE. 79 00:02:09,133 --> 00:02:10,233 THEY DO THE SAME FOR THE IRAQI 80 00:02:10,233 --> 00:02:11,933 ARMY; THE COUNTRY'S TOP COUNTER- 81 00:02:11,933 --> 00:02:13,466 TERRORISM FORCE WAS FOUNDED BY 82 00:02:13,466 --> 00:02:15,133 U.S. SPECIAL FORCES, AND 83 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:16,333 MULTIPLE BRANCHES OF THE 84 00:02:16,333 --> 00:02:17,333 SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEEN 85 00:02:17,333 --> 00:02:19,300 TRAINED BY THEM; WHILE THE 86 00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:20,600 PANDEMIC ENDED IN-PERSON 87 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,200 TRAINING, THE REGULAR EQUIPMENT 88 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:24,133 HANDOUTS CONTINUE. 89 00:02:24,133 --> 00:02:25,233 THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT SAYS THE 90 00:02:25,233 --> 00:02:26,666 COUNTRY'S ARMED FORCES, WHO WERE 91 00:02:26,666 --> 00:02:28,200 SWIFTLY OVERPOWERED WHEN ISIS 92 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:29,633 SWEPT THROUGH MUCH OF IRAQ IN 93 00:02:29,633 --> 00:02:32,200 2014, ARE NOW READY TO FIGHT THE 94 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:33,566 COUNTRY'S MULTIPLE SECURITY 95 00:02:33,566 --> 00:02:36,133 THREATS ALONE. OTHERS AREN'T SO 96 00:02:36,133 --> 00:02:37,933 SURE. 97 00:02:37,933 --> 00:02:39,833 PESHMERGA GENERAL SIRWAN BARZANI 98 00:02:39,833 --> 00:02:41,133 HAS WORKED HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE 99 00:02:41,133 --> 00:02:42,866 COALITION FOR YEARS. 100 00:02:42,866 --> 00:02:44,166 HE SAYS LOCAL FORCES COULDN'T 101 00:02:44,166 --> 00:02:45,800 MANAGE IN A YEAR WHAT FOREIGN 102 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,333 FORCES CAN DO IN A FEW DAYS. 103 00:02:48,333 --> 00:02:49,500 THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAS NOW 104 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:51,800 REQUESTED A FULL WITHDRAWAL OF 105 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:53,666 THOSE FORCES HERE, HOW DO YOU 106 00:02:53,666 --> 00:02:55,166 FEEL THAT WILL AFFECT THE 107 00:02:55,166 --> 00:02:57,566 SITUATION IN WIDER IRAQ? 108 00:02:57,566 --> 00:02:59,166 >> WE NEED THE COALITION, WE 109 00:02:59,166 --> 00:03:02,900 NEED THEM, AND IF THEY LEAVE WE 110 00:03:02,900 --> 00:03:05,533 WILL FACE TOO BIG A PROBLEM WITH 111 00:03:05,533 --> 00:03:07,400 THE TERRORISM. 112 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:08,500 >> Reporter: AS FOR THE ONGOING 113 00:03:08,500 --> 00:03:09,866 TERRITORIAL DISPUTE BETWEEN 114 00:03:09,866 --> 00:03:11,266 IRAQI KURDISTAN AND THE FEDERAL 115 00:03:11,266 --> 00:03:13,133 GOVERNMENT, THE WIDELY-HELD 116 00:03:13,133 --> 00:03:14,566 FEELING AMONG KURDS THAT THEY 117 00:03:14,566 --> 00:03:16,133 DESERVE MORE SUPPORT IN RETURN 118 00:03:16,133 --> 00:03:17,666 FOR FIGHTING ISIS HASN'T GONE 119 00:03:17,666 --> 00:03:19,766 AWAY; FOR KURDISH FORCES IN THE 120 00:03:19,766 --> 00:03:21,266 NORTH WHO SEE THE AMERICANS AS 121 00:03:21,266 --> 00:03:22,800 THEIR STRONGEST ALLIES, A 122 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:24,266 COMPLETE DRAWDOWN WOULD BE THE 123 00:03:24,266 --> 00:03:25,966 WORST CASE SCENARIO. 124 00:03:25,966 --> 00:03:27,300 SO, YOU DO FEEL THERE'S BEEN 125 00:03:27,300 --> 00:03:29,133 ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM YOUR ALLIES? 126 00:03:29,133 --> 00:03:30,533 >> NO. 127 00:03:30,533 --> 00:03:32,466 OF COURSE, NOT ENOUGH. 128 00:03:32,466 --> 00:03:33,866 THEY DO GIVE SUPPORT, BUT IT'S 129 00:03:33,866 --> 00:03:34,866 NOT ENOUGH. 130 00:03:34,866 --> 00:03:35,966 >> Reporter: AFTER ISIS LOST ITS 131 00:03:35,966 --> 00:03:37,966 TERRITORIAL CONTROL, MANY OF THE 132 00:03:37,966 --> 00:03:39,533 REMAINING FIGHTERS SCATTERED, 133 00:03:39,533 --> 00:03:41,366 AND WENT TO GROUND ACROSS IRAQ, 134 00:03:41,366 --> 00:03:43,600 TAKING THEIR IDEOLOGY WITH THEM. 135 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:44,766 THE COUNTRY'S HOSTILE INTERNAL 136 00:03:44,766 --> 00:03:46,233 POLITICS HAVEN'T MADE TACKLING 137 00:03:46,233 --> 00:03:48,266 THAT ANY EASIER; THE TERRITORIAL 138 00:03:48,266 --> 00:03:49,533 SQUABBLES HAVE CREATED 139 00:03:49,533 --> 00:03:51,333 UNGOVERNED AREAS THAT FLEEING 140 00:03:51,333 --> 00:03:52,600 INSURGENTS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE 141 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:53,633 OF. 142 00:03:53,633 --> 00:03:55,066 COLONEL NAWROOZA HAS FOUGHT WITH 143 00:03:55,066 --> 00:03:56,166 THE PERSHMERGA FOR THREE 144 00:03:56,166 --> 00:03:57,400 DECADES. 145 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,300 SINCE 2018, HE'S WATCHED OVER 146 00:03:59,300 --> 00:04:00,700 THIS PEAK IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR 147 00:04:00,700 --> 00:04:02,233 MAKHMOUR, SOUTH OF THE KURDISH 148 00:04:02,233 --> 00:04:04,433 CAPITAL, ERBIL. 149 00:04:04,433 --> 00:04:07,166 >> THESE BASES MARK THE END OF 150 00:04:07,166 --> 00:04:08,966 PESHMERGA TERRITORY. 151 00:04:08,966 --> 00:04:10,400 OVER THERE BY THE VILLAGES IS 152 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:11,833 THE IRAQI ARMY. 153 00:04:11,833 --> 00:04:13,600 IN BETWEEN IN THE MOUNTAINS IS 154 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:14,900 ISIS, WHERE THEY HIDE 155 00:04:14,900 --> 00:04:15,966 THEMSELVES. 156 00:04:15,966 --> 00:04:17,133 >> Reporter: HE AND HIS MEN 157 00:04:17,133 --> 00:04:18,800 WATCH FROM HERE AS IRAQI FORCES, 158 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,566 SUPPORTED BY COALITION AIRPOWER 159 00:04:20,566 --> 00:04:22,133 AND INTELLIGENCE, DO THEIR BEST 160 00:04:22,133 --> 00:04:23,800 TO ROOT THEM OUT. 161 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:25,366 A RECENT TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN, 162 00:04:25,366 --> 00:04:26,933 "OPERATION READY LION," TARGETED 163 00:04:26,933 --> 00:04:29,200 THIS AREA, KILLING AT LEAST 30 164 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,000 INSURGENTS AND DESTROYING OVER A 165 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:32,700 HUNDRED HIDEOUTS. 166 00:04:32,700 --> 00:04:34,033 THESE RAIDS AND OTHERS LIKE THEM 167 00:04:34,033 --> 00:04:35,166 ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED AND 168 00:04:35,166 --> 00:04:36,833 COORDINATED HERE AT THE BAGHDAD 169 00:04:36,833 --> 00:04:38,433 INTELLIGENCE HEADQUARTERS KNOWN 170 00:04:38,433 --> 00:04:39,800 AS THE SHARK TANK. 171 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:40,966 >> THEY RUN ALL THE I.S.R., THE 172 00:04:40,966 --> 00:04:43,700 DRONES FOR SURVEILLANCE, THEY 173 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:46,666 RUN STRIKES, AND INTELLIGENCE. 174 00:04:46,666 --> 00:04:47,866 A LOT OF THE STRIKE REQUESTS A 175 00:04:47,866 --> 00:04:49,133 LOT OF TIMES INITIATE WITH THE 176 00:04:49,133 --> 00:04:50,300 PARTNER, SO THE PARTNER COMES TO 177 00:04:50,300 --> 00:04:52,133 US AND SAYS WE HAVE THIS INTEL, 178 00:04:52,133 --> 00:04:53,266 CAN YOU STRIKE IT? 179 00:04:53,266 --> 00:04:54,300 >> Reporter: BRIGADIER GENERAL 180 00:04:54,300 --> 00:04:55,333 RYAN RIDEOUT HEADS UP THE 181 00:04:55,333 --> 00:04:56,766 COALITION'S MILITARY ADVISOR 182 00:04:56,766 --> 00:04:57,866 GROUP IN IRAQ. 183 00:04:57,866 --> 00:04:59,133 HE SAYS THE PARTNERSHIP OF 184 00:04:59,133 --> 00:05:00,800 FOREIGN AIR POWER FOLLOWED BY 185 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,433 LOCAL BOOTS ON THE GROUND IS NOW 186 00:05:02,433 --> 00:05:04,200 WELL-PRACTICED. 187 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:05,300 >> IF WE BOMB AT NIGHT, THEY'LL 188 00:05:05,300 --> 00:05:06,766 COME NEXT DAY AND DO A GROUND 189 00:05:06,766 --> 00:05:08,100 CLEANSE. 190 00:05:08,100 --> 00:05:09,566 WITH THE MAKHMOUR OPERATION, IT 191 00:05:09,566 --> 00:05:11,066 WAS REALLY ABOUT A SUSTAINED 192 00:05:11,066 --> 00:05:13,433 OPERATION OVER TIME, THAT BROKE 193 00:05:13,433 --> 00:05:15,633 THE BACKS OF THE FORCES OF THOSE 194 00:05:15,633 --> 00:05:16,766 GUYS HIDING IN THERE, SO THEY'D 195 00:05:16,766 --> 00:05:17,633 LITERALLY RUN OUT OF FOOD, RUN 196 00:05:17,633 --> 00:05:18,633 OUT OF WATER. 197 00:05:18,633 --> 00:05:19,700 >> Reporter: THE COMBINED FORCES 198 00:05:19,700 --> 00:05:20,900 HERE SAY THAT DESPITE DOZENS OF 199 00:05:20,900 --> 00:05:22,366 ONGOING ATTACKS THE FIGHT 200 00:05:22,366 --> 00:05:24,333 AGAINST ISIS IS NEARING ITS END. 201 00:05:24,333 --> 00:05:26,100 BUT EVEN AS ONE THREAT REDUCES, 202 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:27,533 AN EVEN MORE UNPREDICTABLE ONE 203 00:05:27,533 --> 00:05:28,900 HAS EMERGED. 204 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:30,233 THIS YEAR HAS SEEN DOZENS OF 205 00:05:30,233 --> 00:05:31,700 ROCKET ATTACKS AT BASES ACROSS 206 00:05:31,700 --> 00:05:33,900 IRAQ, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE 207 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:35,833 AND KILLING TEN U.S. CONTRACTORS 208 00:05:35,833 --> 00:05:37,100 AND LOCALS CAUGHT IN THE CROSS- 209 00:05:37,100 --> 00:05:38,366 FIRE. 210 00:05:38,366 --> 00:05:39,633 THE BASES ARE COVERED WITH BOMB 211 00:05:39,633 --> 00:05:41,033 SHELTERS AND BLAST WALLS 212 00:05:41,033 --> 00:05:42,433 EVERYWHERE YOU TURN. 213 00:05:42,433 --> 00:05:43,566 THE TROOPS ARE WELL DRILLED IN 214 00:05:43,566 --> 00:05:45,133 HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES INSIDE 215 00:05:45,133 --> 00:05:46,533 THEIR BASES, RATHER THAN OUT IN 216 00:05:46,533 --> 00:05:47,800 THE FIELD. 217 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,400 SO FAR NO AMERICAN TROOPS HAVE 218 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:50,866 BEEN KILLED IN THE ATTACKS; THE 219 00:05:50,866 --> 00:05:52,133 WHITE HOUSE HAS WARNED THAT IF 220 00:05:52,133 --> 00:05:54,166 EVEN ONE WERE, THAT WOULD MARK A 221 00:05:54,166 --> 00:05:56,800 MAJOR ESCALATION. MEANWHILE, ALL 222 00:05:56,800 --> 00:06:01,966 THEY CAN DO IS STAY ALERT. 223 00:06:01,966 --> 00:06:04,200 >> THIS IS WHERE YOU COME, 224 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:05,833 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE, AND 225 00:06:05,833 --> 00:06:07,466 WAIT FOR THE ALL CLEAR. 226 00:06:07,466 --> 00:06:08,366 >> Reporter: WE'VE ENDED UP 227 00:06:08,366 --> 00:06:09,466 SPENDING RATHER A LOT OF TIME IN 228 00:06:09,466 --> 00:06:11,200 BUNKERS LIKE THESE. 229 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:12,233 IN THE WEEK THAT WE'VE SPENT 230 00:06:12,233 --> 00:06:13,800 WITH U.S. FORCES, THERE WERE NO 231 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:16,033 FEWER THAN SIX THREATS CONFIRMED 232 00:06:16,033 --> 00:06:18,066 SERIOUS ENOUGH TO SOUND ALARMS 233 00:06:18,066 --> 00:06:19,433 AT BASES WITH A U.S. PRESENCE 234 00:06:19,433 --> 00:06:21,433 ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND AT LEAST 235 00:06:21,433 --> 00:06:22,800 THREE OF THOSE RESULTED IN 236 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:24,400 ACTUAL STRIKES. 237 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:25,700 IT'S NOT JUST ROCKETS THEY HAVE 238 00:06:25,700 --> 00:06:27,400 TO CONTEND WITH NOW, BUT DRONES 239 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:28,666 RIGGED WITH EXPLOSIVES, WHICH 240 00:06:28,666 --> 00:06:30,200 CAN BE MUCH HARDER TO TRACK AND 241 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:31,533 PROTECT AGAINST. 242 00:06:31,533 --> 00:06:32,833 PRIVATE DAWSON HAD BEEN HERE 243 00:06:32,833 --> 00:06:34,266 JUST A MONTH WHEN THE FIRST 244 00:06:34,266 --> 00:06:35,766 DRONE ATTACK HIT HIS BASE IN 245 00:06:35,766 --> 00:06:36,800 ERBIL. 246 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:37,900 >> IT'S ONE OF THOSE FIGHT OR 247 00:06:37,900 --> 00:06:40,366 FLIGHT THINGS, IT KIND OF JUST 248 00:06:40,366 --> 00:06:43,200 KICKS IN. 249 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:44,266 AND THAT WAS THE FASTEST I'VE 250 00:06:44,266 --> 00:06:45,533 EVER RUN IN MY LIFE, I'M NOT 251 00:06:45,533 --> 00:06:46,633 EVEN GOING TO LIE TO YOU. 252 00:06:46,633 --> 00:06:48,700 I MEAN, I WAS, FORREST GUMP, 253 00:06:48,700 --> 00:06:49,800 JUST GONE. 254 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:50,800 >> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE 255 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:51,766 THEY'RE BEING TARGETED BY 256 00:06:51,766 --> 00:06:53,133 ELEMENTS OF THE FRAGMENTED LOCAL 257 00:06:53,133 --> 00:06:54,700 SHIA MILITIAS, KNOWN AS THE 258 00:06:54,700 --> 00:06:55,966 HASHD SHABI OR POPULAR 259 00:06:55,966 --> 00:06:57,666 MOBILIZATION FORCES, WHO SINCE 260 00:06:57,666 --> 00:06:58,866 AMERICA'S ASSASSINATION OF 261 00:06:58,866 --> 00:07:00,300 IRAN'S TOP MILITARY COMMANDER 262 00:07:00,300 --> 00:07:01,833 QASSEM SOLEIMANI IN BAGDHAD 263 00:07:01,833 --> 00:07:03,200 EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO HAVE BEEN 264 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:04,466 PUSHING TO GET THEM OFF IRAQI 265 00:07:04,466 --> 00:07:05,800 SOIL. 266 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:07,200 AND IT'S NOT JUST BASES BEING 267 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:08,266 ATTACKED. 268 00:07:08,266 --> 00:07:09,766 MILITARY CONVOYS BRING VEHICLES, 269 00:07:09,766 --> 00:07:11,566 WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT OVERLAND 270 00:07:11,566 --> 00:07:13,233 TO HAND OVER TO LOCAL FORCES. 271 00:07:13,233 --> 00:07:14,633 A LOT OF THAT DIVESTMENT, AS 272 00:07:14,633 --> 00:07:16,466 IT'S CALLED, HAPPENS HERE AT AIN 273 00:07:16,466 --> 00:07:19,200 AL ASAD AIR BASE IN ANBAR. 274 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:20,200 SO, HOW MUCH HAVE YOU GIVEN SO 275 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:21,833 FAR THIS YEAR? 276 00:07:21,833 --> 00:07:22,933 >> SO FAR THIS YEAR, SINCE 277 00:07:22,933 --> 00:07:24,933 JANUARY, WE HAVE GIVEN OVER $200 278 00:07:24,933 --> 00:07:26,833 MILLION OF ASSETS. 279 00:07:26,833 --> 00:07:27,866 >> Reporter: IMPROVISED 280 00:07:27,866 --> 00:07:29,100 EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, GUN ATTACKS 281 00:07:29,100 --> 00:07:30,400 AND EVEN ROCKET FIRE HAVE BEEN 282 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:31,833 USED TO TARGET THE EQUIPMENT AND 283 00:07:31,833 --> 00:07:33,433 DAMAGE IT EN ROUTE, BUT THE 284 00:07:33,433 --> 00:07:34,633 PEOPLE GETTING HURT IN THESE 285 00:07:34,633 --> 00:07:36,566 ATTACKS AREN'T AMERICANS. 286 00:07:36,566 --> 00:07:38,433 >> IT'S IRAQI DRIVERS, WITH 287 00:07:38,433 --> 00:07:40,400 THEIR OWN TRUCKS, IRAQI TRUCKS. 288 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:41,400 >> Reporter: SO ALTHOUGH THEY'RE 289 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:42,933 ACTUALLY SEEN AS U.S. CONVOYS 290 00:07:42,933 --> 00:07:44,800 AND U.S. EQUIPMENT, IT'S IRAQI 291 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:46,133 PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING ATTACKED 292 00:07:46,133 --> 00:07:47,200 WHEN THEY'RE TRANSPORTING THAT 293 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:48,133 EQUIPMENT TO YOU. 294 00:07:48,133 --> 00:07:49,000 >> CORRECT. 295 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,400 SO, THIS IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES 296 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:52,433 THAT WE RECEIVED THAT WAS HIT BY 297 00:07:52,433 --> 00:07:55,133 AN I.E.D. EN ROUTE. 298 00:07:55,133 --> 00:07:56,366 SO, IT CROSSED THE MOTOR AND 299 00:07:56,366 --> 00:07:58,300 DAMAGED THE BACK BOARD. 300 00:07:58,300 --> 00:08:00,900 YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THE DAMAGE 301 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:02,366 INSIDE AS IT SHRED THROUGH 302 00:08:02,366 --> 00:08:03,966 EVERYTHING. 303 00:08:03,966 --> 00:08:05,066 >> Reporter: IRAQ'S PRIME 304 00:08:05,066 --> 00:08:06,433 MINISTER MOSTAFA AL-KADHIMI 305 00:08:06,433 --> 00:08:07,933 REQUESTED A FORMAL TIMELINE FOR 306 00:08:07,933 --> 00:08:09,333 FOREIGN TROOP WITHDRAWAL EARLIER 307 00:08:09,333 --> 00:08:11,100 THIS YEAR AFTER MILITIA LEADERS 308 00:08:11,100 --> 00:08:12,966 ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM. 309 00:08:12,966 --> 00:08:14,200 IN THE RUN UP TO AN ELECTION 310 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:15,933 PLANNED THIS OCTOBER, SOME FEAR 311 00:08:15,933 --> 00:08:17,200 THEIR PRESENCE WILL BECOME EVEN 312 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:18,233 MORE OF A POLITICAL PLAYING 313 00:08:18,233 --> 00:08:19,566 CARD. 314 00:08:19,566 --> 00:08:21,266 IT'S A COMPLEX LEGACY. 315 00:08:21,266 --> 00:08:22,633 THE MILITARY SHIES AWAY FROM 316 00:08:22,633 --> 00:08:24,400 POLITICS; BUT THERE ARE FEW 317 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:26,200 IMAGES MORE POLITICALLY LOADED 318 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:27,733 IN IRAQ THAN AN AMERICAN 319 00:08:27,733 --> 00:08:29,633 SOLDIER. 320 00:08:29,633 --> 00:08:31,500 PARTICULARLY HERE IN FALLUJAH, 321 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:33,033 SCENE OF SOME OF THE DEADLIEST 322 00:08:33,033 --> 00:08:34,933 BATTLES IN THE MID-2000s, AND AN 323 00:08:34,933 --> 00:08:36,333 EMBLEM OF THE CRUELEST 324 00:08:36,333 --> 00:08:38,566 REPERCUSSIONS OF THE CONFLICT. 325 00:08:38,566 --> 00:08:40,266 TODAY, FAMILIES DRINK COFFEE BY 326 00:08:40,266 --> 00:08:41,466 THE RIVER WHILE THEIR CHILDREN 327 00:08:41,466 --> 00:08:43,400 PLAY IN SAFETY NEARBY, BUT THE 328 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:45,000 MEMORY LINGERS. 329 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,400 MUHANNAD AL-HADI, WHO WAS JUST 330 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:48,266 16 AT THE TIME, REMEMBERS 331 00:08:48,266 --> 00:08:49,666 WATCHING HIS LITTLE BROTHER 332 00:08:49,666 --> 00:08:51,800 KILLED WHEN HE SAYS U.S. FORCES 333 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:54,666 OPENED FIRE ON PROTESTERS. 334 00:08:54,666 --> 00:08:57,000 >> ( translated ): OUR HOUSE WAS 335 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,433 FACING THE SCHOOL WHERE THE 336 00:08:58,433 --> 00:09:00,200 AMERICAN FORCES WERE. 337 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,200 THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO OPEN FIRE- 338 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:04,000 RELENTLESS AND AIMLESS OPEN FIRE 339 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:05,266 ON THE CITIZENS, AND WHOEVER 340 00:09:05,266 --> 00:09:06,966 LIVED NEAR THE SCHOOL. 341 00:09:06,966 --> 00:09:08,433 THE AMERICAN FORCES SHOT HIM 342 00:09:08,433 --> 00:09:10,600 TWICE; A BULLET TO THE HAND, AND 343 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,200 ANOTHER ONE TO THE CHEST. 344 00:09:12,200 --> 00:09:14,000 TWO BULLETS. 345 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,033 >> Reporter: HE WATCHED AS 346 00:09:15,033 --> 00:09:16,566 12-YEAR-OLD ABED BLED TO DEATH 347 00:09:16,566 --> 00:09:18,566 SLOWLY IN FRONT OF HIS HOME; 348 00:09:18,566 --> 00:09:19,766 THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO COLLECT 349 00:09:19,766 --> 00:09:21,533 THE BODIES FOR HOURS. 350 00:09:21,533 --> 00:09:23,200 HIS MOTHER DIED WEEKS LATER; HE 351 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:25,466 BELIEVES OF A BROKEN HEART. 352 00:09:25,466 --> 00:09:27,033 AFTER THAT, MUHANNAD HAD TO 353 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:28,200 RAISE HIS REMAINING FIVE 354 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:29,700 SIBLINGS ALONE. 355 00:09:29,700 --> 00:09:31,200 BUT OTHERS FEAR A RETURN TO 356 00:09:31,200 --> 00:09:33,066 IRAQ'S DARKEST DAYS AS A LAWLESS 357 00:09:33,066 --> 00:09:34,866 SECURITY VACUUM IF U.S. FORCES 358 00:09:34,866 --> 00:09:36,066 LEAVE FOR GOOD. 359 00:09:36,066 --> 00:09:37,733 RAED JOUMAILY IS THE SAME AGE AS 360 00:09:37,733 --> 00:09:38,766 AL-HADI. 361 00:09:38,766 --> 00:09:40,733 IN 2006 HIS FATHER WAS KIDNAPPED 362 00:09:40,733 --> 00:09:41,966 BY AL QAEDA AT A FAKE 363 00:09:41,966 --> 00:09:43,000 CHECKPOINT. 364 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:44,800 HE WAS RESCUED WHEN U.S. FORCES 365 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,166 STORMED THEIR HIDEOUT TWO WEEKS 366 00:09:46,166 --> 00:09:47,500 LATER. 367 00:09:47,500 --> 00:09:48,600 >> ( translated ): THAT'S WHY WE 368 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:49,800 WANT AMERICAN FORCES TO BE 369 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:51,266 PRESENT IN ALL IRAQI PROVINCES. 370 00:09:51,266 --> 00:09:52,533 SO WE CAN GET RID OF ALL THIS 371 00:09:52,533 --> 00:09:54,133 TERRORISM. 372 00:09:54,133 --> 00:09:55,133 >> Reporter: HIS FATHER WAS 373 00:09:55,133 --> 00:09:56,333 KIDNAPPED AGAIN THREE YEARS AGO 374 00:09:56,333 --> 00:09:57,766 BY A LOCAL MILITIA. 375 00:09:57,766 --> 00:09:59,033 THIS TIME, THERE WERE NO FOREIGN 376 00:09:59,033 --> 00:10:01,133 FORCES TO TURN TO IN THE AREA. 377 00:10:01,133 --> 00:10:02,600 HE BELIEVES IF THERE HAD BEEN, 378 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:03,966 HIS FATHER, WHO HASN'T BEEN SEEN 379 00:10:03,966 --> 00:10:06,933 SINCE, MIGHT STILL BE WITH HIM. 380 00:10:06,933 --> 00:10:07,966 THOSE WHO WANT THE FOREIGN 381 00:10:07,966 --> 00:10:09,400 TROOPS OUT, SAY ISIS IS LONG 382 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:10,466 GONE. 383 00:10:10,466 --> 00:10:11,833 THOSE WHO WANT THEM TO STAY, SAY 384 00:10:11,833 --> 00:10:13,133 THE THREAT IS TOO REAL TO BE 385 00:10:13,133 --> 00:10:14,900 ABANDONED JUST YET. 386 00:10:14,900 --> 00:10:16,200 SO, THE U.S. FORCES, THEIR 387 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,200 PRESENCE, ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE? 388 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:19,133 >> AS LONG AS THERE'S AN 389 00:10:19,133 --> 00:10:20,566 INVITATION. 390 00:10:20,566 --> 00:10:21,933 I DON'T THINK WHAT THE U.S. 391 00:10:21,933 --> 00:10:24,133 WANTS IS A COMPLETE DEPARTURE OF 392 00:10:24,133 --> 00:10:25,433 FORCES. 393 00:10:25,433 --> 00:10:27,866 THE IRAQIS WANT A NORMALIZED 394 00:10:27,866 --> 00:10:29,133 MILITARY-TO-MILITARY TYPE 395 00:10:29,133 --> 00:10:30,133 RELATIONSHIP. 396 00:10:30,133 --> 00:10:31,666 >> Reporter: BUT IS THAT 397 00:10:31,666 --> 00:10:33,966 POSSIBLE WHEN YOU'VE GOT 398 00:10:33,966 --> 00:10:35,933 MILITIAS WHO MANY PEOPLE SAY 399 00:10:35,933 --> 00:10:37,300 HAVE A HEAVY REPRESENTATION IN 400 00:10:37,300 --> 00:10:38,466 THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT YOU'RE 401 00:10:38,466 --> 00:10:41,000 WORKING WITH SENDING ROCKETS AND 402 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:42,400 DRONES AND EXPLOSIVES INTO YOUR 403 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:43,366 BASES? 404 00:10:43,366 --> 00:10:44,733 >> THAT'S THE MILLION DOLLAR 405 00:10:44,733 --> 00:10:45,766 QUESTION. 406 00:10:45,766 --> 00:10:47,233 WE'RE NOT HERE TO BE IN CONFLICT 407 00:10:47,233 --> 00:10:48,566 WITH THE MILITIAS, AND IF THEY 408 00:10:48,566 --> 00:10:50,533 CREATE THAT SITUATION, WE ARE 409 00:10:50,533 --> 00:10:52,266 GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE. 410 00:10:52,266 --> 00:10:53,866 THAT'S NOT WHAT THE IRAQIS WANT, 411 00:10:53,866 --> 00:10:55,633 THE IRAQIS WE DEAL WITH ON A 412 00:10:55,633 --> 00:10:58,600 DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. 413 00:10:58,600 --> 00:10:59,866 THERE'S CERTAINLY I THINK A 414 00:10:59,866 --> 00:11:01,366 PORTION OF IRAQIS WHO DO WANT 415 00:11:01,366 --> 00:11:03,166 THAT, AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM. 416 00:11:03,166 --> 00:11:04,166 >> Reporter: AMID THE GLOBAL 417 00:11:04,166 --> 00:11:06,133 POWER-PLAY, THE FRAGILE INCREASE 418 00:11:06,133 --> 00:11:07,566 IN SECURITY IRAQIS CURRENTLY 419 00:11:07,566 --> 00:11:09,266 ENJOY IS AT STAKE. 420 00:11:09,266 --> 00:11:10,333 >> YOU ALREADY HAVE A BAD 421 00:11:10,333 --> 00:11:11,566 ECONOMY, A LOT OF ACTORS PLAYING 422 00:11:11,566 --> 00:11:13,733 IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, VERY EASILY 423 00:11:13,733 --> 00:11:15,866 THINGS COULD DETERIORATE TO A 424 00:11:15,866 --> 00:11:17,833 SITUATION WHERE ISIS COULD COME 425 00:11:17,833 --> 00:11:18,766 BACK. 426 00:11:18,766 --> 00:11:20,300 DISENFRANCHISED PEOPLE WHO ARE 427 00:11:20,300 --> 00:11:22,733 ANGRY IS A RECIPE FOR A QUICK 428 00:11:22,733 --> 00:11:24,600 RETURN OF ISIS. 429 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:25,566 >> Reporter: OTHERS, THOUGH, 430 00:11:25,566 --> 00:11:27,233 ARGUE THEIR VERY PRESENCE HERE 431 00:11:27,233 --> 00:11:28,433 IS THE TOUCHPAPER THAT WILL 432 00:11:28,433 --> 00:11:30,266 IGNITE FURTHER CONFLICT. 433 00:11:30,266 --> 00:11:31,366 AS TENSIONS CONTINUE TO 434 00:11:31,366 --> 00:11:33,600 ESCALATE, THE TIME FOR A CHOICE 435 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:34,000 MAY SOON COME.