One U.S. and One British Soldier Die in Iraq Training Accident as U.S. Continues Troop Drawdown

One American soldier and one British soldier died during a training exercise at an air base in Irbil on Sunday 31 May 2026. S. Army stated the deaths took place in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where American forces have retained a presence.

U.S. service member is being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification. K. Ministry of Defence confirmed that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq on Sunday 31 May 2026 in which a service person from the British Army died.

The family of the British soldier has been notified, and the ministry requested a period of grace before more details are released. K. Defense Secretary John Healey said he was deeply saddened by the death of the British soldier.

A social media video showed Healey announcing the soldier's death in British Parliament. The deaths occurred nearly a month after two American soldiers fell off a cliff and died during an off-duty recreational hike in Morocco. The two soldiers were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise.

U.S. has been reducing the number of troops countering the Islamic State group in Iraq. S. seeks to strengthen ties with the Kurds.

U.S. inaugurated a large new consulate compound in Irbil in December.