World

Four US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq

By AAP Newswire

Mar 13, 2026

A file photo of a KC-135 and a fighter jet — The search continues for two service members after a US military refuelling plane crashed in Iraq. -AP

Four of the six crew members aboard a US military ‌aircraft that crashed in Iraq are confirmed to have been ‌killed, as rescue efforts continue ‌for the remaining two.

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A US military refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident the military said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or ‌friendly fire.

The ‌deaths add ⁠to the seven US service members who have already been killed as part of US operations against Iran.

"The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," ⁠a statement from US ‌Central Command said on Friday.

The United States has deployed a large number of aircraft into the ‌Middle East to take part in operations against Iran and the incident highlights the risk of not just operations, but of refuelling aircraft in the air.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for ‌downing the US military refuelling aircraft.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that as many as 150 US troops have been wounded in the US-Israeli war on Iran.

News of the crash comes the same day two US sailors were injured after USS Gerald Ford suffered ⁠a non-combat-related fire on board.