British, American soldiers killed during military training in southern Kurdistan
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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj
Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurdish Policy Analysis — 3 June 2026
Washington and London have announced the deaths of a British and an American soldier during a military training exercise at Hawler Air Base in the Federal Region of Southern Kurdistan, while investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident.
U.S. and British authorities confirmed the death of two soldiers—one American and one British—following an incident that occurred during a training exercise inside Hawler Air Base in the Federal Region of Southern Kurdistan.
British Defense Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons that a member of the British Armed Forces had died in the incident, noting that the family had been informed, without providing further details about the circumstances.
For its part, the U.S. Army announced the death of one of its soldiers while conducting a military training exercise at the same base, explaining that the exercise was carried out in cooperation with British forces, who also lost one of their personnel.
The U.S. statement added that investigations are still underway to determine the causes and circumstances of the incident, without disclosing the nature of the training or further details.
Two British and American soldiers died on Sunday during a "training" accident in the Kurdistan Region, announced their armies on Monday.
"With deep regret, I should inform the House that a training accident occurred in northern Iraq yesterday in which a service person from the British Army has died,” Healey told the British parliament.
He added that “the family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. I know the thoughts of the House will be with the family and with the unit at this desperately sad time."
The US army said one of its soldiers died in the same "training accident at Erbil Air Base."
"The incident is under investigation," said the American army.
The United Kingdom is a key member of the US-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State and supports the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in reforming the command structure of its Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. Both countries also provides advanced training to Peshmerga forces to enhance their capabilities in frontline and urban warfare.
The UK regularly sponsors selected Peshmerga officers to attend prestigious military academies, including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, to undergo officer training and strengthen defense ties.
#Kurdistan, #Erbil, #CoalitionForces, #USArmy, #BritishArmy, #MiddleEastSecurity
#Iraq, #Geopolitics, #MilitaryAffairs, #CounterISIS, #RegionalStability, #NATO
#Peshmerga, #DefensePolicy
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