Iran-backed Iraqi group claims responsibility for downing US military aircraft

13 Mar 2026 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

March 13 (Reuters) - The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, ‌an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed ⁠responsibility for downing a U.S. military refueling aircraft in western Iraq on Thursday.

The group said ‌in ⁠a statement it had shot down the ⁠KC-135 aircraft "in defense of our ⁠country's sovereignty and ⁠airspace".