BAGHDAD, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Four US crew members were killed when an American KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, the US military said Friday, adding that the incident was not caused by "hostile fire".

"Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue," US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement on X.

An investigation was underway into Thursday's crash, it added. "However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," it said.