U.S. drone crashes in Iraq; not shot down by enemy fire

WASHINGTON — U.S. military officials say an American Predator drone crashed Thursday in Iraq but say it was not shot down by enemy fire.

Islamic State militants claimed they shot down the drone and showed photos of wreckage.

U.S. Air Forces Central Command says the military lost control of the drone, but the specific cause of its crash is being investigated. The drone was flying a combat mission and came down Thursday near Al Qaim in central Iraq.

U.S. Central Command says an airstrike was later used to destroy the wreckage to prevent Islamic State fighters from gaining access to the drone technology. The Air Force says there were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the crash site.

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