A US Apache attack helicopter crashed in Iraq on Monday, killing its two-man crew, the US military said.
“We had a helicopter crash northwest of Taji,” Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Kent, spokesman for the 3rd Infantry Division said, referring to a major airbase north of Baghdad.
The military later said in a statement two soldiers had been killed in the crash of the two-seat AH-64.
Local people said they saw two helicopters circling before one crashed out of the sky just north of Baghdad.
“I saw a missile hit one of the helicopters and black smoke come from it before it went down,” said one man, who gave his name as Abu Mustafa.
The US statement did not say what had caused the crash.
Insurgents have shot down US. and other aircraft in the past with shoulder-fired missiles or small arms.