The Hindu : New Delhi News : A month of mayhem in the killing fields

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Saturday, May 05, 2007
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A month of mayhem in the killing fields

Madhur Tankha

NEW DELHI: Taking a peek at Iraq during one of its bloodiest months since the war began is CNN's upcoming programme, "On Assignment: Month of Mayhem".

This special programme on Iraq to be aired on May 12 and repeated on May 13 is a dramatic account of life behind the camera. Viewers can see daily life unfolding in Iraq as the CNN International anchor-reporter Michael Holmes within ten minutes of his arriving at the bureau in Baghdad on January 9 is on air reporting about a battle at nearby Haifa Street, thus beginning the month of mayhem. Meanwhile, a plan is announced by the United States administration to send thousands of additional troops to pacify Baghdad. What follows is one of the deadliest months of the war. Hundreds of people are killed in bombings at universities, markets and other places where civilians gather. Several American servicemen die in a string of insurgent attacks on U.S. military helicopters. Sectarian fighting rages and bodies showing signs of gross torture are dumped in neighbourhoods on almost a daily basis.

"The previous seven tours had allowed me to witness a steady deterioration in the level of security and services. Despite my hopes, it was always, always worse. And I knew this trip would be no different. It really becomes a matter of how bad it is going to be. Before leaving the airport, before leaving home for that matter, I know there will be bodies, and there will be bombs -- it was only a question of who and how many," says Holmes.

Throughout his assignment, Holmes films behind the scenes inside the CNN bureau where he lives and works. With the conditions in Iraq worsening, embedding with the military has become the only way for reporters to safely meet residents to get their first-hand accounts.

"There are people not involved in the violence itself. Every now and then you stop and remember that these are people. They are not numbers on a board," says Holmes while reporting from the killing fields of Iraq.

Despite the tragic stories, Holmes is also able to show the dignity of the Iraqi civilians, living and trying to work in very difficult circumstances. On one embedded sweep with the U.S. military, he shows how a family was so generous and hospitable even though 12 soldiers had just searched their house for weapons. But for Holmes it is the Iraqi children, who follow him around when he is walking down the streets accompanied with military personnel, who bring a smile on his lips. One of the few opportunities for joy during this month of mayhem in Baghdad is when a group of children smilingly ask him his name. For a brief moment, Holmes feels like the "Pied Piper".

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