US Military Launches Rescue Effort After Aircraft Crashes in Iraq

US Aircraft Crashes in Western Iraq Amid Joint Military Operation with Israel

A US aircraft has crashed in western Iraq during the ongoing joint military operation with Israel against Iran. The incident occurred in friendly airspace as part of Operation Epic Fury. According to a statement from US Central Command, one of the aircraft involved was a KC-135 refueling plane that lost contact and crashed.

Rescue efforts are currently underway, but there is no immediate indication whether any fatalities or survivors have been reported. The statement also mentioned that a second aircraft landed safely after the incident.

The crash is the latest in a series of incidents to affect the US military since it began operations against Iran on February 28. In March, three fighter jets were downed in an apparent friendly fire incident, resulting in six personnel ejecting safely and being recovered in stable condition.

US Central Command has stated that the jets were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences” during an active combat situation. The operation against Iran has been ongoing for several weeks, with the US military conducting airstrikes and ground operations.

Polls have shown that the war has been unpopular among the US public, with a majority of voters opposing the military offensive against Iran. A recent survey found that 53% of voters opposed the conflict, while 74% rejected the idea of starting ground operations for US troops.

The incident is part of a broader debate over the US military’s involvement in the conflict, with some critics questioning the logic behind the operation and others defending it as necessary for national security.

Source: Al Jazeera