Six US Service Members Killed in Fueling Aircraft Crash in Western Iraq, Central Command Confirms

Kathmandu. The US Central Command has announced that all six crew members died when a US Air Force refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.

It was stated that there was no indication of hostile fire or friendly fire involvement in the incident. This aircraft was being used in the ongoing US operations against Iran. It is reported that two aircraft were involved in the incident, and the second aircraft landed safely.

The Pentagon confirmed that with the death of the six crew members of the 'US KC-135' aircraft, which is used to refuel other aircraft mid-air during wartime, the total number of US officials killed in Iranian attacks has reached 13.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US forces in the Middle East, stated in a post, "It is confirmed that all six crew members aboard the US KC-135 aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have died."

The statement posted by CENTCOM said, "No indication has been found that the aircraft crashed due to enemy targeting or friendly fire. An investigation into the accident is underway."

Previously, the Iranian military had confirmed its involvement in the crash, stating that an allied group in Iraq shot down the aircraft with a missile, resulting in the death of all its crew members.

The Iran-backed Iraqi group coalition, 'Islamic Resistance in Iraq,' claimed responsibility for shooting down the KC-135. They also stated that they targeted the other aircraft that fled.

Since the beginning of the Middle East conflict, the coalition has claimed daily attacks on US interests in Iraq and the region, but it rarely names its targets.

The KC-135 is at least the fourth US military aircraft lost during the conflict, following the downing of three F-15 aircraft in a friendly fire incident in Kuwait.