"A V Corps soldier was killed by friendly fire at approximately 4:30 pm (1330 GMT)" Thursday in central Iraq, the statement said.

"The soldier had been investigating a destroyed enemy tank when he was mistaken as an enemy soldier and fired upon by friendly forces operating in the area.

"The identity of the soldier is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification," the statement said, adding that "an investigation into the incident is underway."

SPACE.WIRE