This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6323125.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Helicopter 'crashes near Baghdad' Helicopter 'crashes near Baghdad'
(20 minutes later)
The Unites States military in Iraq says it is checking reports that a helicopter has gone down north of the capital, Baghdad.The Unites States military in Iraq says it is checking reports that a helicopter has gone down north of the capital, Baghdad.
Police and witnesses reported seeing a helicopter come down near a US air base at Taji, shortly after dawn.Police and witnesses reported seeing a helicopter come down near a US air base at Taji, shortly after dawn.
If confirmed, it would be the fourth helicopter lost in two weeks.If confirmed, it would be the fourth helicopter lost in two weeks.
Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed near Baghdad. The helicopter is believed to have been shot down.Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed near Baghdad. The helicopter is believed to have been shot down.
The US military has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.The US military has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.
"I can confirm that we are looking into reports that a helicopter went down north of Baghdad," US military spokeswoman Lt Col Josslyn Aberle said."I can confirm that we are looking into reports that a helicopter went down north of Baghdad," US military spokeswoman Lt Col Josslyn Aberle said.
Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed Iraqi military source as saying his unit saw the helicopter go down near Taji, about 30km (20 miles) north of the capital.Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed Iraqi military source as saying his unit saw the helicopter go down near Taji, about 30km (20 miles) north of the capital.
"We don't know the reasons for the crash, nor its exact site because the US army has sealed off the area," the source said."We don't know the reasons for the crash, nor its exact site because the US army has sealed off the area," the source said.
Meanwhile authorities have declared a curfew in the Shia city of Najaf amid an upsurge of violence in the area. Seperately the US military says it has killed 18 insurgents in the Sunni flashpoint town of Ramadi in western Iraq.
It said US forces killed the insurgents over two days after troops there came under fire.
Meanwhile Iraq authorities have declared a curfew in the Shia city of Najaf amid an upsurge of violence in the area.
Seventy-three people were killed and 167 injured in a double suicide bombing in nearby Hilla on Thursday.Seventy-three people were killed and 167 injured in a double suicide bombing in nearby Hilla on Thursday.
Also, some 263 people were killed in clashes with US-backed Iraqi troops near Najaf earlier this week.Also, some 263 people were killed in clashes with US-backed Iraqi troops near Najaf earlier this week.