announced this Friday the death of a French soldier after a drone attack against a military base in Erbil, in northern Iraq, where French troops participate in counter-terrorism operations.
“This attack against our forces that have participated in the fight against Daesh since 2015 is unacceptable”Macron stated in a message published on his social networks.
The president also stressed that the French military presence in Iraq is linked exclusively to the fight against terrorism and rejected any attempt to justify the attack in the context of the war with Iran.
“does not justify such attacks”, he added.
A non-commissioned officer killed at the Erbil base
The deceased soldier is Arnaud Frion, senior non-commissioned officer of the 7th Battalion of Alpine Hunters of Varces, according to the French president himself.
Macron noted that the soldier “died for France during an attack in the Erbil region” and conveyed the country’s support to those close to him.
“The country expresses all its affection and solidarity to his family and his brothers in arms,” he wrote. The head of state also confirmed that several French soldiers were injured during the attack.
Six soldiers wounded
Hours before the president’s message, the French General Staff had informed local media that six French soldiers had been injured in the drone attack on the base.
Los military They were in the area as part of the international mission to train Iraqi Kurdish forces in the fight against terrorism.
According to the French channel LCI, troops from other allied countries are also deployed at the facility, including Italian soldiers.
An area under tension
The military base is located between the cities of Erbil y Mosul, a region where different armed militias operate.
In the surrounding area there are Shiite groups close to Iranwho in recent days had already been involved in some incidents and confrontations in the area.
The attack also occurs at a time of growing regional tension following the military escalation in Middle East linked to the war between the United States, Israel and Iran.
France has maintained a military presence in Iraq since 2015, within the international coalition created to combat the jihadist group , with tasks mainly focused on training, advice and support for local forces.
The attack on the base Erbil It now opens a new focus of concern for international troops deployed in the region.
