Video shows Iraq helicopter attack

The video was issued by the Islamic State in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iraqi fighter groups.

 

 

James Conway, US marines commandant-general, said his forces did not believe that the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, the Marine-version of the Chinook, was shot down.

 

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US military officials said early indications were that the craft’s loss was due to mechanical failure.

 

The Islamic State in Iraq issued a written claim of responsibility on Wednesday for the craft’s downing and had promised a video would follow.

 

The video, entitled “the Hell of Christians and Apostates in Iraq”, was posted on a web forum where fighter groups often post messages.

 

Its authenticity could not be independently confirmed.

 

 

The crash was the sixth by a US helicopter since January 20, at least four of them downed by ground fire.

 

An Iraqi air force officer on Wednesday also said the CH-46 had been shot down. Five marines and two navy medics were killed in the crash.

 

Though he said the CH-46 was not believed to have been shot down, Conway said on Wednesday that there was a new and troubling “intensity of effort” by fighters to attack helicopters.