A helicopter which the United States Defense Department contracted for has been shot down by militants just north of Baghdad Thursday. All nine people on board were reported dead in the crash including three Bulgarian crew members. The nationality of the remaining six dead has yet to be confirmed. Six of the people on board were civilian contract workers according to a Pentagon spokesman.
The MI-8 helicopter was shot down roughly 12 miles north of the Iraqi capital. The burning wreckage of the helicopter was spread over a wide area according to video aired on local television. Reports indicate that a missile or a rocket propelled grenade was used to shoot down the helicopter.
A statement issued by the Bulgarian Defense Ministry said, 'Today ... an Mi-8 helicopter owned by the Bulgarian company Heli Air, and with a Bulgarian crew, was shot down. As a result, the three crew members and six others of unestablished nationality have died.'
Insurgents also stepped up attacks on interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's convoy. Mr. Allawi was not injured in the attack. Al-Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for the attack.
A website known for posting messages from militants had a posting that read, 'Allawi escaped, but if one arrow missed its target, there are many others in the quiver.' The authenticity of the posting could not yet be verified.
Insurgents have stepped up attacks in Iraq over the past week. On Wednesday alone, at least 13 people were killed and 21 wounded in bombings, shootings and other attacks.
In the town of Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad, the Iraqi Defense Ministry has identified the bodies of 19 people found there to be those of fishermen. Initial indications were that the bodies belonged to Iraqi soldiers but the Defense Ministry is now denying those claims.
The insurgents are trying to foster violence between Shiite and Sunni factions in the country as the newly elected government attempts to form a ruling coalition. The longer the government is delayed, the more likely the violence is to continue.
