The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a member of the SAS was killed on Wednesday in what is understood to have been a special forces mission in Iraq.
An MOD spokesman said today that the member of the Parachute Regiment was killed during "routine operations in support of coalition activity".
It is believed he was killed in central Iraq as part of the special forces operation and was a member of the Hereford-based SAS.
The spokesman would only confirm that the death did not take place in southern Iraq, which has been under British control and where the majority of British troops are based.
The spokesman would not comment further for "operational reasons".
The soldier's family has been informed and more details will be released in the next 24 hours.
The statement said: "It is with deep sadness that the MoD must confirm the death of a soldier in Iraq.
"A member of the Parachute Regiment sustained fatal injuries in the early hours of Wednesday, September 5th, whilst conducting routine operations in support of ongoing coalition activity in Iraq.
"The individual's next of kin have been informed and further details of the individual will be released after 24 hours period of grace, in accordance with the family's wishes."
The death of the soldier brings the military death toll in Iraq to 169. Of those, the number to have been killed in action now stands at 133.
PA