US helicopter down near Baghdad, no word on crew

BAGHDAD, Apr 1 (Reuters) A US military helicopter went down southwest of Baghdad today, the military said in a statement, giving no information on casualties.

''The status of the crew is unknown,'' it added, giving no details of how many were aboard or the type of helicopter involved.

''The aircraft was conducting a combat air patrol.'' A military spokesman declined further comment.

Combat patrols are typically flown by two-seater reconnaissance or attack helicopters.

The aircraft went down around 1730 hrs the statement said.

In an Internet posting, a group calling itself the Rashedeen Army said it had shot down a US helicopter near the town of Yusufiya, an area that sees considerable Sunni insurgent activity just southwest of the capital.

REUTERS SHB RAI2314