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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Katie McQue

Worker for US defense contractor killed in Iraq as colleagues say they are pressured to stay

a helicopter takes off from an air base
An UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Task Force Pegasus, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade lifts off from Erbil Air Base, Iraq, March 6, 2025, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Photograph: Capt. Andrew Lightsey IV/101st Combat Aviation Brigade

A man employed by the US defense contractor V2X has been killed in a drone attack on Erbil airbase, amid concerns from colleagues that they are being placed in harm’s way and pressured to remain in Iraq despite security risks, five sources said.

The worker, from Kenya, died in a night attack in his sleeping quarters on the base on 24 March. Another five workers were injured. They are from Kenya and India, and are among a group of about 45 workers employed by V2X who have remained on the base. One of the workers is in a critical condition with severe burns, sources said.

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