CNN
January 27, 2004, in Outside Baghdad, Iraq

Khatab, a driver for the U.S. cable news network CNN, was killed in an ambush in the outskirts of Baghdad, CNN reported. CNN producer Duraid Isa Mohammed was also killed in the attack.

The network said Khatab and Mohammed died of multiple gunshot wounds after their two-car convoy came under fire from unidentified assailants. A bullet grazed the head of cameraman Scott McWhinnie, who was traveling in the second vehicle, CNN said. He was treated at a nearby military base. The remaining members of the convoy – two CNN journalists, a security adviser, and the second driver – were unharmed.

According to CNN, the vehicles were headed north toward Baghdad when a rust-colored Opel approached from behind. A single gunman with an AK-47, positioned through the sunroof, opened fire on one of the vehicles. CNN's vice president for international public relations, Nigel Pritchard, told CPJ that both CNN cars were unmarked and the attackers may not have been aware they were journalists.

Media Support Worker: In 2003, CPJ began documenting the deaths of vital media employees such as translators, drivers, fixers, and administrative workers.

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