The Canadian Press

Canadian soldier found dead at undisclosed Middle Eastern base

Sat Jul 5, 2:15 PM

By The Canadian Press

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A Canadian soldier was found dead in the sleeping area of a Middle Eastern military base in an incident described Saturday as a non-combat casualty.

The military offered few details and said they are investigating the death of Cpl. Brendan Anthony Downey, a military policeman based in Dundurn, Sask., whose body was discovered Friday.

He was posted to a little-known Canadian base in the Arabian desert. The base offers logistical support to the military operation in Afghanistan.

Downey will receive a military tribute and his name will be added to Kandahar Airfield's memorial for 85 other soldiers and one diplomat killed during the Afghanistan mission.

"It's tragic," said Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk.

"We grieve for the family of Cpl. Downey. Any loss in our operations is difficult for us. It's difficult for the military family and for his family."

His death is the 11th non-combat fatality. Others have occurred as a result of fatal stumbles, suicide, accidental shooting, and traffic accidents.

"On behalf of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."

The location of the base in the Persian Gulf has been previously reported but cannot be revealed under terms of the Canadian Forces embedding agreement for Canadian media.

The Canadian government avoids describing the base - called Camp Mirage - to avoid drawing attention to its presence.

Downey is the 12th Canadian soldier killed this year in Afghan-related operations.

By the same date in 2007, 22 soldiers had been killed while only eight had been died by the same point in 2006.

"No further details are available at this time, although enemy action has been ruled out," a military statement said.

"Cpl. Downey's immediate family has no comment at this time."

The last Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, Capt. Jonathan Snyder, fell into a deep well during a June 7 night patrol.

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