Iraq: US MQ-1 Predator drone found crashed

An unmanned MQ-1 Predator drone reportedly crashed on 20 July in southern Iraq.

The discovery was made by an Iraqi man who found remains of the crashed drone on 21 July in the southern Iraqi town of Samawa.

The US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) said in a press release on 20 July that the drone was flying a combat mission.

While AFCENT denied the drone crashed due to enemy fire, it did not provide an explanation for the crash, reported AirForce Times.

Meanwhile, no reports have emerged of any casualties or property damage due to the crash.

The US military uses the MQ-1 Predator drones to gather intelligence to progress forward in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (Isis) militants in Iraq and Syria.

Earlier in March, news emerged that the Syrian government has shot down a US drone found flying near the western city of Latakia.

It was the first reported aircraft lost by the US forces since the start of the US-led coalition against IS.

"US military controllers lost contact with an US MQ-1 Predator unarmed remotely piloted aircraft operating over northwest Syria," said Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Cdr. Elissa Smith, reported USA Today.