U.S. drone crashes in Iraq; not shot down by enemy fire

By

Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press

UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 07: A U.S. Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), carrying a Hellfire missile flies over an air base after flying a mission in the Persian Gulf region on January 7, 2016. The U.S. military and coalition forces use the base, located in an undisclosed location, to launch airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, as well as to distribute cargo and transport troops supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. The Predators at the base are operated and maintained by the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, currently attached to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — U.S. military officials say an American Predator drone crashed Thursday in Iraq but say it was not shot down by enemy fire.

Islamic State militants claimed they shot down the drone and showed photos of wreckage.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command says the military lost control of the drone, but the specific cause of its crash is being investigated. The drone was flying a combat mission and came down Thursday near Al Qaim in central Iraq.

U.S. Central Command says an airstrike was later used to destroy the wreckage to prevent Islamic State fighters from gaining access to the drone technology. The Air Force says there were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the crash site.

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Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press