A British soldier has been killed while serving in northern Iraq, where a large number of special forces are based to fight against ISIS.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament that the soldier, who has not yet been identified, was killed during a training accident on Sunday.
“The family have been informed and have asked for period of grace before further details are released,” he said.
British troops in northern Iraq are stationed at an airbase near Erbil, as part of the UK's contribution to the international campaign against ISIS called Operation Shader. British personnel have been involved in the training of Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga, with the special forces assigned to the mission.
The troops have also helped to defend the base from drone attacks linked to Iran-backed militias. They have actively shot down drones aimed at the coalition base, as well as those fired towards other areas in the region.
News of the soldier's death came on the day that the UK government announced it has signed a contract to acquire hundreds more Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) for its armed forces, to strengthen the protection of British personnel in the Middle East.
Special forces have also been used in counter-ISIS raids, intelligence gathering as well as attacks against terrorist leaders.
The soldier's name is expected to be released in the coming days. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends at this sad time,” the UK Ministry of Defence said.
Base defences
Officials announced a deal to supply hundreds more LMMs so that the UK's arsenal would be boosted.
The missiles have already proven highly effective in operations, the ministry said. They have played a key role in defeating drone attacks in the Middle East, with more than 100 drones shot down using the missiles, including by RAF Regiment gunners using the Rapid Sentry air defence systems.
There are more than 1,000 personnel deployed across the region, including fast jet squadrons and specialist counter-drone teams protecting British people, bases and allies.
