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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US helicopters 'collide' in Iraq | US helicopters 'collide' in Iraq |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two US helicopters have crashed after an apparent mid-air collision north of Baghdad, killing two soldiers and wounding five more, the US said. | Two US helicopters have crashed after an apparent mid-air collision north of Baghdad, killing two soldiers and wounding five more, the US said. |
| The helicopters came down in the early hours of the morning near a US military base south-west of Taji. | The helicopters came down in the early hours of the morning near a US military base south-west of Taji. |
| An investigation was under way but the crash did not appear to be the result of "enemy fire", a US statement said. | An investigation was under way but the crash did not appear to be the result of "enemy fire", a US statement said. |
| Meanwhile three car bombs and a mortar exploded in southern Baghdad killing at least 15 people, Iraqi police said. | Meanwhile three car bombs and a mortar exploded in southern Baghdad killing at least 15 people, Iraqi police said. |
| Another 50 people were injured in the attacks, in a market in the Al-Shurta al-Arabaa district. Women and children were among the casualties. | Another 50 people were injured in the attacks, in a market in the Al-Shurta al-Arabaa district. Women and children were among the casualties. |
| Reports are coming in of a third bomb, but there are no indications yet about casualties. | |
| The attacks came a day after a suicide attack on a crowded market in the Shia holy city of Karbala, which is now known to have killed 42 people, and a truck bomb attack on a bridge in southern Baghdad. | The attacks came a day after a suicide attack on a crowded market in the Shia holy city of Karbala, which is now known to have killed 42 people, and a truck bomb attack on a bridge in southern Baghdad. |
| Car and suicide bombs have occurred almost daily in Baghdad in recent months, despite a US-led security crackdown which began in February. | Car and suicide bombs have occurred almost daily in Baghdad in recent months, despite a US-led security crackdown which began in February. |
| Cause for concern | Cause for concern |
| The US military gave no details about the types of helicopter involved in Sunday's apparent collision. | The US military gave no details about the types of helicopter involved in Sunday's apparent collision. |
| The US has lost more than 50 helicopters in Iraq since the 2003 invasion with the loss of a number of soldiers. | The US has lost more than 50 helicopters in Iraq since the 2003 invasion with the loss of a number of soldiers. |
| At least 11 were downed in the first two months of this year, most as a result of enemy fire. | At least 11 were downed in the first two months of this year, most as a result of enemy fire. |
| The BBC's Jonathan Charles in Baghdad says helicopters are crucial to coalition operations in this part of Iraq, and the losses have been a cause for concern for the military. | The BBC's Jonathan Charles in Baghdad says helicopters are crucial to coalition operations in this part of Iraq, and the losses have been a cause for concern for the military. |