US and UK soldiers killed during training exercise in Iraq

One soldier from the United States and one from the United Kingdom have died during a training exercise in Iraq, officials from both countries said on Monday, June 1, without providing further details about the circumstances.

The incident occurred on Sunday at an air base in Irbil, located in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, where US forces continue to maintain a presence. The US Army confirmed the deaths in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that the identity of the American soldier is being withheld until 24 hours after the family has been notified, as per AP.

In a separate statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said the family of the British soldier has already been informed and requested a “period of grace” before additional details are made public.

The deaths come as the United States continues to reduce troop numbers involved in operations against the Islamic State group in Iraq. However, American forces have maintained a presence in the Kurdish region as part of efforts to strengthen ties with Kurdish authorities.

In December, the United States inaugurated a large new consulate compound in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdish region, underscoring Washington’s ongoing diplomatic and strategic engagement in the area.

The incident follows another recent tragedy involving US troops. Nearly a month earlier, two American soldiers died after falling from a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. They had been reported missing on May 2 after taking part in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise.

By Tamilla Hasanova