No details are being released about the soldier's unit or role in Iraq for the time being (Picture: MOD) — No details are being released about the British soldier's unit or role in Iraq for the time being (Picture: MOD)

Army

British soldier and US soldier killed during training accident in northern Iraq

2nd June 2026 at 10:36am

A British and an American soldier have died during a training accident at Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq on Sunday.

The death of the British soldier was announced by the Defence Secretary in the House of Commons.

Mr Healey said the family have been informed and have "asked for a period of grace before further details are released".

It is with deep regret that we can confirm that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq on Sunday 31 May 2026 in which a service person from the British Army died. pic.twitter.com/6ZRnBvD6h3
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) June 1, 2026

A message of condolence was also released by the Ministry of Defence.

US Army Central and Third Army announced the death of the US soldier on X but provided no details about the training or circumstances surrounding the incident.

The post said: "The training was conducted with our British Army partners who also lost a soldier. The incident is under investigation."