A member of the British Army died in a training accident in Iraq on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said. UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, confirmed the incident took place in the north of the country on Sunday.
The soldier’s identity has not been released and it has not yet known how the incident occurred. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Healey said: “A training accident occurred in Northern Iraq yesterday for which a service personnel from the British Army has died. The family has been informed and asked for a period of grace before further details are released. I know the thoughts of the House are with the family.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence added: “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 service person’s family have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends at this sad time.”
Theincident comes after Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, lost his life during a training exercise at Northumberland’s Otterburn Training Area on January 25 – one of the UK’s largest army training ranges – prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Captain Muldowney, who grew up in County Roscommon, served as a fire support commander with 129 (Dragon) Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
The promising young officer joined the Army in January 2020 and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery later that year after completing his training at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
An inquest held in March was told that “an incident occurred which resulted in Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound, which is believed to have entered through his back and exited through his left shoulder”.
Following the tragedy, the Ministry of Defence paid tribute to Capt Muldowney, describing him as an “immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him”.