Report: 2 killed as U.S. helicopter downed in flames by rocket in Najaf

Although the report did not identify the kind of gunship used in the attack, the CH-53E Super Stallion has been used in the area recently

Smoke rises at scene following crash

BAGHDAD, Jan. 28 - A U.S. helicopter was shot down early Sunday afternoon near the provincial capital Najaf during a pitched battle with fighters described as religious fanatics.

A McClatchy Newspapers correspondent from Najaf, Qasim Zen, observed the helicopter lose control and crash to the ground in flames after it appeared to have been struck by rocket fired from the ground. The correspondent had been observing the battle from a safe position about half a mile away from the fight in the village of al Zarga. Al Zarga is about 5 miles from Najaf and about 80 miles south of Baghdad.

No information on U.S. casualties was available. Military public affairs officials in Baghdad said Sunday afternoon they were unaware of the helicopter downing.

The correspondent observed the helicopter shot down about 1:35 p.m. Iraqi time Sunday (5:35 a.m. EST).

The battle is being fought against alleged religious fanatics. Iraqi intelligence had received several reports that this group of fighters planned to attack the religious shrine in Karbala Wednesday, the holy day of Ashura, and to kill all the clerics.

The Iraqi officials told the correspondent that the fighters, whom he described as Saddamists and Afghanis, infiltrated the area as Ashura pilgrims commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

The battle began with U.S. aerial bombardments Saturday night. Iraqi forces ground forces sealed off the area around 3 a.m. Sunday and begin an assault, assisted by U.S. helicopters and F-16 fighter jets. Maj. Hussain Muhammed of the Iraqi Army confimed the helicopter was down. "We do not know any other details yet, but there are flames raising," he said.

Read the rest at the San Jose Mercury News

Update: Two killed

BAGHDAD, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Two U.S. soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed north of the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf on Sunday, the U.S. military said.

A U.S. statement said the helicopter "went down" but did not say whether it was shot down.

"While conducting operations to assist Iraqi Security Forces that were attacked earlier today, a Multi-National Division - Baghdad helicopter went down at approximately 1:30 p.m. (1030 GMT) north of An Najaf," a U.S. statement said.

"Two soldiers were killed when the helicopter went down. Their remains have been recovered," it said.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

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