US and UK Soldiers Killed in Iraq Training Incident
An American soldier and a British service member were killed during a joint military training exercise at an air base in Iraq's Kurdish region, with the incident still under investigation.
The two service members died Sunday at a facility in Irbil, located in the semi-autonomous Kurdish territory where United States forces have maintained a continuous presence, as New York Post reports. Both US Army Central Command and the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense announced the deaths but have not yet disclosed details surrounding the fatal incident.
US Army Central Command released a statement acknowledging the joint nature of the exercise that turned deadly. The training operation involved British Army partners who also suffered the loss of one soldier, according to the statement provided to Stars and Stripes. Military officials stated the incident remains under investigation.
American military authorities said they would not release the fallen soldier’s identity until 24 hours had elapsed, following standard notification protocols.
British defense officials separately confirmed the death with what they termed deep regret, acknowledging that one of their soldiers was killed in what they characterized as a training accident in northern Iraq. The Ministry of Defense extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased service member.
US Military Presence in Kurdish Iraq
The United States has been incrementally drawing down troop levels originally deployed to combat ISIS operations throughout Iraq. However, American military forces have deliberately maintained their footprint in the Kurdish region as Washington pursues closer strategic partnerships with Kurdish authorities.
The fatal training incident occurs less than one month after two American soldiers died in Morocco following a fall from a cliff during an off-duty recreational hike. Those service members were reported missing on May 2 after taking part in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise conducted on the African continent.
With information from New York Post
