BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get back to Iraq right now, the killing of a U.S. soldier in Iraq today, the latest in a series of attacks against American forces. Jane Arraf in Basra, Iraq, also with us today, where we say good afternoon there. Jane -- hello.</s>JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Bill. Well, we just have sketchy details on that latest U.S. military casualty. It was, as you mentioned, a soldier shot by hostile fire on one of the highways that's used as a main supply road northwest of Baghdad. Now, that does, as you mentioned, bring the total of soldiers killed in this week alone to five and more than a dozen other ones wounded. Now, these attacks are not thought to be coordinated in the sense of being carried out by one single group, but it is really an indication that there are, what the U.S. continues to call, pockets of resistance out there. Some of these attacks took place in Fallujah near Baghdad, which is an area which had been a Sunni stronghold and had large elements of support for the Iraqi leader and for the Baath Party which is being dismantled. Now, here in Basra, there is none of that same atmosphere. It's quite calm here. The trouble spots really seem to be around Baghdad and the surrounding areas. And they are opposing a challenge in setting back efforts to get that city back on its feet -- Bill.</s>HEMMER: Jane Arraf in Basra, thanks. We'll check in a bit later this morning with you then. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
U.S. Soldier Killed in Attack on Supply Route in Iraq