7 Americans Killed in Afghan Copter Crash

Taliban claims responsibility

By Matt Cantor, Newser User

Posted Aug 16, 2012 8:38 AM CDT

30 comments Comments

A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter (not the one that crashed) is seen between the blades of a Chinook CH-47 helicopter at an air base in Afghanistan Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Shrink — A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter (not the one that crashed) is seen between the blades of a Chinook CH-47 helicopter at an air base in Afghanistan Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

(Newser) – The Taliban is taking credit for a NATO helicopter crash in Afghanistan that killed seven Americans today. A rep for the group says it shot down the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in Kandahar province this morning. Three members of Afghanistan's security forces also died in the crash, along with a civilian interpreter, the AP reports. The NATO-led force said it is still investigating the cause. (Read more NATO stories.)

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HANKHILL

Aug 17, 2012 8:23 AM CDT

GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE NOW AND LET THEM KILL EACHOTHER IN PEACE! THEY DO NOT NEED OUR "HELP" TO DO THIS! GET OUT NOW!

AlexanderArgentina

Aug 16, 2012 10:50 AM CDT

DAMASCUS, (SANA) - In a "qualitative operation" Armed forces rescued the team of the Syrian al-Ikhbariya satellite channel who were kidnapped by an armed terrorist group seven days ago in al-Tal area in Damascus Countryside. The released colleagues are Yara Saleh, Abdullah Tabreh and Hussam Imad. A number of journalists and workers at the Syrian channels gathered early Thursday to receive the freed journalists, stressing that Syrian media will remain stronger than the terrorists and the word of truth will always be made known. Minister of Information Omran al-Zoubi was among the first to welcome the released journalists. "Syrian media has been targeted in the war on Syria because it is the beacon of truth which enemies want to obliterate," said freed journalist Yara Saleh in a statement to the Syrian TV. She thanked the military for rescuing the team and expressied condolences over the martyrdom of her al-Ikhbariya colleague Hatem Abu Yehya, whom she said was "hideously snatched by a criminal armed terrorist group." In a statement to SANA, the freed journalist described her happiness when she saw the men in army uniforms escorting her and she knew they were members of the brave Syrian army. The armed forces freed Yara Saleh, Abdullah Tabreh and Hussam Imad.

AlexanderArgentina

Aug 16, 2012 10:50 AM CDT

PROVINCES, (SANA) - Security forces on Thursday repelled an armed terrorist group which tried to enter al-Sabaa Bahrat area from al-Atmeh Souq in the city of Aleppo. The competent authorities clashed with the group leaving its members dead or injured. Armed forces destroyed 11 pick-up vehicles equipped with DShK machineguns and arrested 3 terrorists near al-Jandoul Roundabout and Castillo crossroad in Aleppo. Units from the armed forces carried out an operation in al-Marjeh neighborhood in the area of Bab al-Neirab in the city. A SANA reporter quoted a source in the province as saying that the operation resulted in the death and injury of a number of terrorists. A unit from the armed forces clashed with terrorists at the entrance of Saif al-Dawleh in Aleppo inflicting heavy losses upon them. Engineering units on Thursday dismantled an explosive device planted by an armed group near a mosque at the Meridian area in Aleppo. A source in the province told SANA reporter that the device weighed 40 kg. The engineering units also dismantled two 40-kg explosive devices that contain high-explosive materials and iron splinters planted near Amer Sarmini School and in Saif al-Dawleh area in Aleppo. The engineering units also seized Molotov cocktails in a basement which was a command center for terrorists. DAMASCUS, (SANA) - Armed Forces Rescue 9 Citizens after Upending Terrorists in al-Tal in Damascus Countryside A unit from the Syrian armed forces clashed with terrorists in al-Tal area in Damascus Countryside, killing dozens of them and releasing 9 citizens who were kidnapped earlier. An official source told SANA reporter that the freed citizens are Mohammad Hamadiyeh from Ein Mnin in Damascus Countryside, Deeb Mohammad from Ekweer in Damascus Countrysdie, Selman Razzouq from Idleb, Mohammad Baddour from Homs, Alaa Hussein from al-Salamiyeh in Hama, Fadi Neddeh from Tartous, Osama Yousef from Jableh, Manhal Baddour from Lattakia and Alaa Ammar Dawood from Jableh.