Iraqi plane accidentally bombs Baghdad, at least 5 die

BAGHDAD, July 6 (UPI) -- An Iraqi military plane accidentally bombed civilians in Baghdad's Ni'riya neighborhood Monday, killing at least five.

The plane, a Russian-built Sukhoi fighter plane, was on its way to Al Salam Air Base near Baghdad after completing an airstrike mission against the Islamic State (IS) in western Iraq. A bomb, which was to have been dropped on IS targets, failed to release six times during the bombing run but detached from the plane as it flew over the residential neighborhood, a ministry of defense official said.

"The bomb fell out and destroyed three houses," noted Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, adding the unidentified pilot was among the Iraqi Air Force's most qualified.

The Interior Ministry said five were killed, including women and children; Iraq's Health Ministry claimed seven civilians died, and others were injured. Maan said the government immediately organized a committee to investigate the incident.

Iraq is using older fighter planes, such as the Sukhoi, to fight IS, which controls about one-quarter of the country.