Four crew members have died after a U.S. Air Force refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq during a military operation, according to a statement from United States Central Command.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 12, when a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker tanker aircraft went down while operating in Iraqi airspace. The aircraft had six crew members on board at the time.
Military officials said four of the crew members were killed in the crash, while two others survived.
The aircraft was participating in a mission connected to Operation Epic Fury when the incident happened.
In its statement released on Friday, United States Central Command said the exact circumstances surrounding the crash of the plane remain under investigation but noted that the aircraft was not brought down by hostile or friendly fire.
“The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the statement said.
Officials also confirmed that two aircraft were involved in the operation at the time of the incident, with the second plane landing safely.
The identities of the deceased crew members have not yet been released, as the military said it would wait until their families have been formally notified.
Meanwhile, the armed group Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for downing the plane.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, the group said it had shot down the refuelling tanker “in defence of our country’s sovereignty and airspace.”
Authorities have not confirmed the group’s claim, and investigations into the crash are ongoing.
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