Seven US troops were killed when the helicopter carrying them crashed in western Iraq, a US defense official said Friday.

“There were seven people aboard; they are all believed to be dead,” the official said, adding they were US service members.

“It was a routine troop transport operation going from Iraq to Syria, nothing out of the ordinary.”

A Pentagon statement said the crash involved a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk and did not appear to be a result of enemy activity.

An accompanying US helicopter reported the crash and a quick reaction force comprised of Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition members secured the scene.

Source: AFP