US helicopter crashes near Baghdad
Several US helicopters have crashed in Iraq since the start of the conflict there in 2003
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Tuesday, 14, Aug 2007 07:27
A US helicopter has gone down near an air base west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, military officials have confirmed.
The CH-47 Chinook helicopter was conducting a maintenance test flight when it crashed near the Taqaddum air base, US marine spokesman Shawn Mercer revealed in a statement.
He added that emergency response crew had sealed off the site of the crash, the cause of which is currently being investigated.
It is not clear how many people were on board the helicopter when it crashed, or whether they were harmed in the incident.
According to reports the Taqaddum air base is situated 45 miles west of Baghdad in Iraq's Anbar province, a stronghold for Sunni insurgents.
However the area has become less volatile in recent months as a result of tribal leaders in the region joining forces against al-Qaida militants there.
Today's crash comes after a US helicopter was compelled to make a forced landing south of Baghdad on Friday, during an early morning raid.
US military chiefs said two soldiers were injured in the incident, which occurred around ten miles south of Baghdad in Yusifiyah, but said they did not yet know the cause of the crash.
Elsewhere in Iraq today US forces launched a major operation against al-Qaida in the Diyala province.
Over 16,000 personnel are engaged in Operation Lightning Hammer, which has already involved the use of attack helicopters, tanks and close-air support.