"We can confirm that an unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle crashed" on Saturday, a military statement said, adding that there had been no reported injuries.

It said there was currently no indication that the aircraft, which hit the offices of the Iraqi Islamic Party, had crashed as a result of "enemy action," but added that the incident was under investigation.

American soldiers recovered the drone and were discussing repairs to the building with local officials.

Unmanned drones are used frequently by the US military in the region, Iraq's most violent, mostly in a bid to monitor insurgents planting roadside bombs.

Though the US military has withdrawn from Iraq's cities and towns, it still provides the country's security forces with assistance and training, especially in aerial surveillance and logistics.

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