British and American Soldiers Killed in Iraq Training Accident

A British Army soldier and an American soldier died during a training exercise at an air base in Erbil on Sunday, 31 May 2026. The deaths occurred in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. The British Ministry of Defence announced the British soldier's death on 1 June 2026.

Defence Secretary John Healey informed the House of Commons on Monday that the accident had taken place the previous day. "With deep regret I should inform the House that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq yesterday in which a service personnel from the British Army has died," Healey said.

He added that the family of the deceased had been informed and requested a period of grace before further details are released.

"I know that's the thoughts of the house will be with the family and with the unit at this desperately sad time," Healey stated. U.S. Army Central and the British Ministry of Defense issued announcements that contained few additional details about the incident.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the British soldier died in the training accident.