ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US-led global coalition on Thursday said one of its helicopters experienced a mishap in Erbil province’s Gwer district without causing any casualties.
"At approximately 12:15 p.m., Coalition service members conducting a routine helicopter training mission experienced an in-flight mishap near Erbil," read a statement by the coalition.
"There were no Coalition casualties nor damage to Coalition or civilian infrastructure. The Coalition aircraft was damaged," it added.
Sirwan Barzani, Peshmerga commander of the Makhmour-Gwer front told Rudaw earlier in the day that the coalition was conducting a military drill when the accident took place.
Barzani said that the helicopter was carrying two passengers, both of which have survived the crash “unharmed”.
Rudaw’s Payam Sarbast reported from the ground that coalition helicopters were still surveilling the area after several hours from the crash, and that a team had arrived to investigate the incident.
Gwer is located 50 kilometers west of Erbil in an area disputed between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
It has been a safe haven for Islamic State (ISIS) sleeper cells because of the security gap between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, as well as the rugged landscape. ISIS has taken advantage of the situation to move around, harass local residents, and carry out attacks.
"An assessment of the situation is ongoing," said the coalition in their statement.
Updated at 5:40 pm
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