A U.S. KC-135 air refueling aircraft has crashed in Iraqi airspace early Friday morning, according to U.S. authorities. There were at least five crew members onboard the aircraft, and rescue operations are currently underway. However, the fate of the crew remains uncertain as details of the incident continue to unfold.

An Iranian-backed armed group, known as the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, has claimed responsibility for shooting down the KC-135 plane, stating that they acted to defend the sovereignty and airspace of Iraq. This assertion has raised tensions in the region and sparked a debate regarding the safety of U.S. military operations in Iraq.

Conversely, the U.S. military has stated that the crash was not caused by any strike or fire and occurred in what they classified as 'friendly airspace.' The incident coincided with Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. military operation aimed at countering Iranian influence in the region. The presence of two U.S. aircraft during the incident adds further complexity to the situation as the military investigates the circumstances surrounding the crash.