New Delhi, March 13 -- A US military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday local time, US Central Command said, adding that rescue efforts were underway.

The incident involved two aircraft - the KC-135, which crashed, and another unidentified aircraft, which "landed safely".

"US Central Command is aware of the loss of a US KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing," the CENTCOM statement said.

"This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," clarified CENTCOM.

This is the fourth US aircraft downed since the US and Israel started carrying out joint strikes against Iran on 28 February, marking the start of Operation Epic Fury.

Ea...