Four crew members have been confirmed dead after an American refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq, according to the United States military. The aircraft went down in friendly airspace, while a second refuelling plane involved in the incident landed safely. Two crew members remain missing as rescue efforts continue, and the identities of the dead are being withheld until their families are notified.

The crash came amid escalating violence in Iraq, including a drone strike that caused a major blaze at a French air base in Erbil. A helicopter was hit in the हमला, leaving several French soldiers injured and one dead, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed. He said French forces in Iraq are present solely as military advisers במסגרת counterterrorism efforts.

Additional drone attacks targeted bases used by British and Kurdish forces, as well as areas near the United States Consulate and Erbil International Airport. British forces intercepted incoming rockets but are restricted to defensive actions. Officials in London accused Russia of supporting Iranian military tactics, warning that rising tensions threaten regional stability and global oil supplies.