مقتل جندي فرنسي في هجوم على كردستان العراق

A French soldier was killed and 6 others were injured in a drone attack in Iraqi Kurdistan, which President Emmanuel Macron described as unacceptable and unjustified.

The soldiers were providing counter-terrorism training in the region as part of an international coalition fighting the ISIS terrorist organization, and they were attacked yesterday (Thursday) just hours after an Italian base in the same area was targeted. The name of the deceased officer was revealed to be Arnaud Frion.

Macron stated in a post on "X" overnight: "This attack against our forces participating in the fight against ISIS since 2015 is unacceptable," confirming the death of one officer. He added that their presence in Iraq is solely within the framework of counter-terrorism.

This attack is the latest indication of an escalation in the region following 13 days of airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, with Tehran responding by striking targets in various countries in the region.

Colonel François-Xavier de la Chênaie told reporters that Arnaud Frion (42 years old) was killed "by a strike carried out by a Shahed drone at the location where he was present" in the Erbil area.

Iraqi security sources and two sources close to the armed factions reported that militants in Iraq have intensified their drone and rocket attacks on American interests in Iraq over the past three or four days.

One group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in response to France sending its aircraft carrier to the region, and that French assets in the area are legitimate targets.

Officials announced that the French government would hold a defense council meeting later today to discuss the situation and the possibility of a response. Erbil Governor Omid Khoshnaw stated in a statement that the drone attack occurred in the Makhmour area.