Iraqis shoot US helicopter amidst surge of guerilla activity (moved from ATSNN)

news.yahoo.com
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Guerrillas shot down a Bulgarian commercial helicopter in Iraq on Thursday, killing all 11 on board including six Americans, the aircraft's Bulgarian owner said.

The Russian-built Mi-8 helicopter
was hit by a rocket- propelled grenade as it flew over a deserted area north of Baghdad, Bulgarian officials and the U.S. military said. It was believed to be the first downing of a civilian aircraft in Iraq.

The attack came amid a surge in violence across the country which threatens to overshadow attempts by Iraq's new leaders to form a government nearly three months after elections.

Bulgarian company Heli Air told Reuters that three Bulgarian crew were killed, as well as six U.S. passengers and two guards from an unspecified country. Officials originally reported nine people had died.

"An Mi-8 helicopter owned by the Bulgarian company Heli Air, and with a Bulgarian crew, was shot down," Bulgaria's Defense Ministry said in a statement earlier, citing information from its military, which is part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.

All those on board were civilians, U.S. military officials said.

The helicopter and crew had been contracted by SkyLink Air and Logistic Support, a U.S.- based company with a contract to supply services to three airports in Iraq, according to Paul Greenaway, a SkyLink manager in Baghdad.


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