A US KC-135 military aircraft has crashed in western Iraq while another aircraft involved in the same incident landed safely, according to the US military. The announcement was made by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East.
In a statement, CENTCOM confirmed that one aircraft went down in western Iraq, stressing that the crash was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire. Details regarding casualties or the exact cause of the incident have not yet been released.
The KC-135 Stratotanker, a refueling aircraft that has been in service for more than six decades, typically operates with a crew of three: a pilot, a copilot and a boom operator responsible for aerial refueling. Some missions may also include a navigator, and the aircraft can carry up to 37 passengers.
The crash comes amid heightened tensions in the region and follows earlier incidents during the conflict with Iran. Earlier in the war, three US F-15E fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces, although all six crew members managed to eject safely.
US authorities have not yet provided further details about the circumstances of the crash, and an investigation is expected to determine the exact cause.
Source: TRT Africa
