U.S. refueling aircraft goes down in western Iraq: U.S. Central Command

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

"Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely," the command said on X.

"The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing," said the command, adding that it was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.

In another development, British media reported earlier on Thursday that some U.S. troops were injured in drone strikes at a base in Erbil in northern Iraq that hosts both British and U.S. troops, citing British military officials.

Iraqi authorities said Thursday that two oil tankers were attacked within Iraqi territorial waters, prompting a suspension of operations at the country's oil terminals.