ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US Department of War on Thursday and the UK Ministry of Defense late Wednesday identified two coalition service members who died in a training incident in Erbil earlier this week.
US Army Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, and UK Lance Corporal James Freeman, 29, both lost their lives on May 31.
“The soldier was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo. The incident is under investigation," the Department of War said, confirming that Seibel died in a “training-related incident.”
Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defense identified Freeman as the soldier who died in a “tragic accident” during a “routine military training activity.”
“Our thoughts are with Lance Corporal Freeman’s family, friends, and Regiment at this devastating time,” it added.
Shorsh Ismail, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, mourned the passing of the two service members in the US-led Global Coalition against Islamic State (ISIS).
”On behalf of the Ministry of Peshmerga and all the Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan, we extend our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to you, to the families of the two fallen soldiers and their loved ones, expressing our profound solidarity and heartfelt sharing of your grief in this immense loss,” he said.
Kurdistan Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also expressed condolences.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the United States’ and the United Kingdom’s militaries on the passing of two American and British service members who lost their lives during a training mission in Erbil,” he said on Tuesday.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear and authorities have yet to disclose further details. The US army said it has launched an investigation into the incident.
Erbil serves as one of the regional hubs for the US-led Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). Operating under Operation SHADER, British Royal Air Force (RAF) and army personnel also use their presence in Erbil for regional military operations and surveillance.
Both countries have played a key role in the territorial defeat of ISIS, launching thousands of airstrikes against the group and training Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in frontline and urban combat techniques.
The UK also regularly sponsors selected Peshmerga officers to attend prestigious military academies, including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, to undergo officer training and strengthen defense ties.
