CBS: Iraqi sources say US helicopter was shot down with a missile

[sabra]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/07/iraq/main2441538.shtml

<snip>

It's the fifth helicopter to go down in Iraq in just over two weeks, reports CBS News correspondent Aleen Sirgany. But officials say this one was not brought down by hostile fire and it's likely that mechanical problems are to blame.

An Iraqi air force officer said, however, the helicopter was shot down with a missile. An al Qaeda-linked Sunni group said in a Web statement it was responsible.

CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports witnesses said a helicopter had gone down in a field in the Sheik Amir area northwest of Baghdad, sending smoke rising from the scene.

"The helicopter was flying and passed over us, then we heard the firing of a missile," said Mohammad al-Janabi, a farmer who was speaking less than half a mile from the wreckage. "The helicopter then turned into a ball of fire. It flew in a circle twice, then it went down."

[AndyA]

1. Let me guess...I'm going to go out on a limb here...that missile

somehow came from Iran, right?

DING DING DING - Congratulations I get the cheese gift pack for guessing the right answer!

Somehow, these helicopters will get blamed on Iran. Just wait.

[sabra]

2. so far "al Qaeda" has claimed responsibility

maybe "al Qaeda Iraq" now = Iran?

[originalpckelly]

4. Yeah, because most Americans are too stupid to realize...

that Al-Qaeda is a Sunni group, while Iran is a Shi'a country.

[MsKandice01]

3. Yep...except they really came from Saudi Arabia...

But that's not important right now. Iran! Iran! Iran!

[dogday]

5. Oh no you didn't

talking about Saudi Arabia like they could somehow be involved with this.... :sarcasm:

[MsKandice01]

6. I know...I should be ashamed of myself...

The Saudis are our friends! They're a powerful ally on the War on Terra!

[Selatius]

7. The situation in Iraq is so bad you could likely purchase an SA-16 or SA-18 easily in the black mkts

The warzone in Iraq is a cash bonanza for any arms smuggler operating in the region.

SA-16:



SA-18: