Iraqi Air Force plane crashes on training mission near Kifri

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — An Iraqi military airplane crash-landed near Kifri on Saturday while on a training mission, leaving six airmen with minor injuries.

 

The Iraqi Air Force announced the plane was a Cessna 208 Caravan training plane. They initially reported no casualties and the cause of the crash was likely "technical glitches."

 

Ali Hashim Husseini, the spokesperson for the Hashdi al-Shaabi in Tuz Khurmatu, said a plane carrying six airmen from the Iraqi Aviation College crashed in the area of Gharra near Tuz Khurmatu, six passengers suffered light injuries.

 

Iraqi Security Forces responded to the scene and the injured have been taken to a hospital, he added.

 

The Iraqi Air Force tweeted an image of the crash, then promptly deleted it.

 

Tuz Khurmatu is the nearest large city to Kifri district. Kifri town is about 100 kilometers southeast of Kirkuk. Kifri is a diverse and disputed district in Diyala province.

The plane had taken off from Kirkuk airport where part of the Iraqi Aviation Academy is located.

Iraqi Military of Defense spokesperson Yahya Rasool confirmed the incident.

 

"The defense ministry announced that a 'Cessna Caravan' plane had an emergency landing during a training flight due to technical issues in Mudiyah area in Kalar district without any casualties," tweeted Brig. Gen. Rasoul.

Kalar borders Kifri. Iraqi Security Forces have been conducting anti-ISIS patrols in the nearby Hamrin Mountains.

 

Updated at 3:49 p.m.