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/6338787.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
US helicopter crash near Baghdad US helicopter crash near Baghdad
(40 minutes later)
A United States military helicopter has gone down near Baghdad, in the fifth such incident in Iraq so far this year, US military officials have said.A United States military helicopter has gone down near Baghdad, in the fifth such incident in Iraq so far this year, US military officials have said.
It is not known how many people were on board the CH-46 Sea Knight aircraft, which can carry up to 25 people.It is not known how many people were on board the CH-46 Sea Knight aircraft, which can carry up to 25 people.
It comes three days after US officials said ground fire apparently caused the four previous helicopter losses.It comes three days after US officials said ground fire apparently caused the four previous helicopter losses.
A US spokesman said on Sunday that tactics were being adjusted and mission procedures modified as a result.A US spokesman said on Sunday that tactics were being adjusted and mission procedures modified as a result.
RECENT HELICOPTER LOSSES 7 Feb: CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter goes down north-west of Baghdad2 Feb: Apache helicopter goes down near US air base at Taji, two lives lost28 Jan: Apache downed while supporting Iraqi troops near Najaf, two lives lost 23 Jan: OH-6A helicopter used by private US security firm Blackwater crashes in Baghdad after coming under "heavy gunfire"; four civilians killed 20 Jan: Black Hawk goes down near Baghdad, with loss of 12 lives class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/2871129.stm">CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter 'Ball of fire'
In the latest incident, witnesses said they saw the helicopter go down amid gunfire from the ground, about 30km (18 miles) north-west of Baghdad, the Associated Press news agency reported.In the latest incident, witnesses said they saw the helicopter go down amid gunfire from the ground, about 30km (18 miles) north-west of Baghdad, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer, was quoted by AP as saying. RECENT HELICOPTER LOSSES 7 Feb: CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter goes down north-west of Baghdad2 Feb: Apache helicopter goes down near US air base at Taji, two lives lost28 Jan: Apache downed while supporting Iraqi troops near Najaf, two lives lost 23 Jan: OH-6A helicopter used by private US security firm Blackwater crashes in Baghdad after coming under "heavy gunfire"; four civilians killed 20 Jan: Black Hawk goes down near Baghdad, with loss of 12 lives class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/2871129.stm">CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter "The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer, was quoted by AP as saying.
"The helicopter then turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down.""The helicopter then turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down."
A statement purported to be from an al-Qaeda-linked group called the Islamic State in Iraq, posted on a website used by Sunni militant groups, said it brought down the helicopter.
"By God's grace, the downing of a helicopter of the crusaders was accomplished on Wednesday morning near the Karamah in Anbar province, leading to its destruction and the deaths of all those on board," the statement said.
Its authenticity could not be independently verified.
US military spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said a "quick reaction force" was on site and an investigation was under way.US military spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said a "quick reaction force" was on site and an investigation was under way.
Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed north-east of Baghdad, the deadliest such incident this year.Last month, 12 US soldiers died when a Black Hawk military helicopter crashed north-east of Baghdad, the deadliest such incident this year.
The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.The US has lost more than 50 military helicopters in Iraq since May 2003.