U.S. and British soldiers die in Iraq training accident

A U.S. soldier and a British soldier died during a training accident in northern Iraq, military officials from both countries said Monday.

The accident happened Sunday, but officials released few details about the circumstances. The U.S. Army said the American service member’s identity was being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification. Britain’s Ministry of Defence said the British soldier’s family had been notified and had requested a “period of grace” before more information is 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,” the ministry said in a post.

U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in a statement that he was deeply saddened by the soldier’s death. A social media video showed Healey announcing the death in British Parliament.

The deaths come as the United States continues to reduce the number of troops involved in countering the Islamic State group in Iraq, while retaining a presence in the Kurdish region. Washington has sought to strengthen ties with the Kurds, and in December inaugurated a large new consulate compound in Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital.

Further details on the accident, including the name of the U.S. service member and additional information about the British soldier, were not immediately released under the notification and family privacy procedures described by the two militaries.