'We shot down British plane'
2005-01-31 11:44
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - An Iraqi militant group has claimed responsibility for downing a British military plane, killing at least nine troops.
The Ansar al-Islam group said in a statement posted on Sunday on an Islamic website that its fighters tracked the aircraft, "which was flying at a low altitude, and fired an anti-tank missile at it".
The plane crashed on Sunday while flying from Baghdad to the town of Balad.
"Thanks be to God, the plane was downed and a huge fire and black clouds of smoke were seen rising from the location of the crash," said the statement.
British and US military officials have not said what they think caused the crash, which occurred about half an hour after polls closed in Iraq's elections.
Established after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Ansar al-Islam is one of Iraq's older extremist groups and it has been linked to al-Qaeda.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair confirmed there were deaths in the crash, but did not say how many as he paid tribute to the casualties in a televised speech praising Iraq's election.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives today. They can be so proud of what their loved ones accomplished. This country and the wider world will never forget them," he said.
- AP