US Military Launches Rescue Effort After Aircraft Crash in Iraq

US Aircraft Crashes in Western Iraq Amid Ongoing Military Operation

A US aircraft has crashed in western Iraq, according to a statement issued by US Central Command. The incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, a joint military operation with Israel aimed at targeting Iranian forces.

The statement confirmed that one of the aircraft involved was a KC-135 refueling plane, which lost contact and crashed. Rescue efforts are currently underway, but no immediate information is available on the number of fatalities or survivors.

According to US Central Command, the crash occurred in friendly airspace, and the second aircraft involved landed safely. The statement also clarified that the incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

This latest incident marks the latest development in the ongoing military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28. Prior to this, seven US service members had died, with another 140 wounded, including eight with severe injuries.

In a separate incident on March 1, three F-15E Strike Eagles were downed by Kuwaiti air defences during an active combat situation. The six aircraft personnel on board the fighter jets ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition.

Public opinion on the US military operation against Iran has been divided, with polls showing that a majority of Americans disapprove of the strikes. A recent survey found that 53% of voters opposed the military offensive, while 74% rejected the idea of starting ground operations for US troops.

The US administration has struggled to make a public case for the war, citing various rationales for why military operations were necessary. The President’s administration has defended the operation as necessary for US national security, but some prominent conservative personalities have questioned this logic.

Source: Al Jazeera