Islamic State militants shoot down Iraqi helicopter

BAGHDAD, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- An Iraqi military helicopter was shot down by Islamic State militants, killing the two pilots aboard and renewing fears about the group's ability to launch ground attacks on aircraft.

IS fighters shot the army helicopter down in the Iraqi city of Samarra, about 80 miles outside Baghdad, officials said.

Iraqi military and Kurdish militias have been battling IS, also known as ISIS, for months. On Saturday, U.K. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced hundreds of British troops will be sent to Iraq as the fight against IS continues.

The attack came just days after a suicide truck bomber killed 9, including Iraqi soldiers, in Samarra.