4 Crew Killed After US KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Crashes in Iraq
The United States Central Command said four crew members were killed after a US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a military operation.
CENTCOM said rescue and recovery operations continued after the crash of the aircraft. Officials confirmed that six crew members were on board the refueling plane at the time of the incident.
According to US military officials, the KC-135 aircraft was part of an American operation linked to tensions with Iran. The aircraft was one of two refueling planes supporting the mission.
Officials said the second refueling aircraft involved in the operation was not damaged and managed to land safely. Authorities have not yet publicly clarified the condition of the remaining two crew members.
Earlier reports indicated that an Iran-aligned militia umbrella group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft, saying it targeted the plane in defense of Iraqi airspace.
However, US officials have not confirmed whether the aircraft was shot down or crashed due to another cause. Investigations into the incident are ongoing as rescue teams continue search efforts at the crash site.
The crash comes amid rising regional tensions involving US forces and Iran-backed groups operating across Iraq and the wider Middle East, where military incidents have increased in recent months.
The incident highlights the volatile security situation in Iraq and the risks faced by military personnel as regional rivalries and armed group activities continue to shape the conflict landscape.
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