Iran-backed group says it shot down US refuelling aircraft in western Iraq

Iran-backed group says it shot down US refuelling aircraft in western Iraq The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) claimed responsibility for downing a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft in western Iraq. In a statement on its Telegram channel, the IRI, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, said it targeted the aircraft with air defence systems, causing it to crash. The claim contradicts US Central Command (CENTCOM), which reported on Thursday that two aircraft were involved in an incident in “friendly airspace”.