US drone crashes in Iraq

Associated Press reported that the unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle crashed into the local office of the Iraqi Islamic Party in Mosul, an area the U.S. military has called the last stronghold of al-Qaida in Iraq.

Drones have been a mainstay of the U.S. war effort, offering round-the-clock airborne "eyes" watching over road convoys and tracking insurgent movements and occasionally unleashing missiles on a target.

The U.S. military identified the crashed drone as a Shadow model, which is routinely used in areas like Mosul to track insurgents planting explosives and does not carry weapons.

There was no immediate indication the drone was shot down and the cause of the crash was under investigation, said Maj. Derrick Cheng, a U.S. military spokesman. There were no reports of injuries.

Cheng said the drone struck the party office at about 7 a.m., damaging the roof of the building.

"It was only by coincidence that the UAV impacted the Mosul Islamic Party headquarters," Cheng said, referring to the unmanned aerial vehicle by its initials. American troops have since recovered the drone.

Yahya Abid Mahjob, a senior party member, said the drone hit the roof and then crashed into the back yard. He added that the party was calling on the U.S. military to take more precautions with their drones

It's the second time this month that a drone has crashed in Iraq. On Sept. 14, a U.S. Air Force Predator drone crashed in central Iraq, causing no injuries or damage, the military said.

The Predator is used for reconnaissance and surveillance, and can also fire Hellfire missiles.