7 killed in U.S. Special Operations helicopter crash in Iraq

A U.S. Special Operations helicopter crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, killing all seven service members on board, military officials told The New York Times. The HH-60 Pave Hawk, which is similar to the Black Hawk helicopter, was transporting troops when it apparently hit a power line, the Washington Examiner adds.

Although the cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined, one person familiar with the situation added that "there [were] no signs of hostile fire."

The crash occurred about 20 miles southeast of Qaim, a city near one of two Iraqi bases that American forces use for operations. The U.S. military typically assists Iraqi-led missions, rather than conducting their own missions in the nation. About 5,200 American troops remain in the country and are involved in combating the Islamic State.

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