PARIS, France: A French soldier was killed in an attack in Erbil in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.
Macron announced on X that a member of the French armed forces “died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq,” marking the first French military death since the Middle East war began late last month when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran.
“Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins from Varces died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq,” Macron wrote on X.
L’adjudant-chef Arnaud Frion du 7ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins de Varces est mort pour la France lors d’une attaque dans la région d’Erbil en Irak.
À sa famille, à ses frères d’armes, je veux dire toute l’affection et la solidarité de la Nation.
Plusieurs de nos militaires…
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 13, 2026
The French president added that several other soldiers were wounded in the incident.
“Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones,” he added.
Earlier, the French military said the attack involved a drone strike targeting troops who were carrying out a training exercise in the area.
Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, hosts international military personnel involved in training and supporting local forces.
