New Zealand soldier dies on service in Middle East

A New Zealand soldier has died in a non-combat incident in Jordan, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said Friday.

A brief statement from the NZDF said the unnamed soldier died "at a coalition headquarters in Jordan where he was a national liaison officer."

There were no suspicious circumstances related to the death, which occurred Thursday New Zealand time, said the statement.

It did not specify whether the "coalition" referred to Operation Inherent Resolve, the United States-led effort against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

"The NZDF has a number of liaison officers at headquarters throughout the Middle East and around the world," it said.

New Zealand troops are currently engaged in a joint operation with the Australian Defence Force to train Iraqi forces in the fight against Islamic State insurgents. Endit