Drone attack on military base in Iraq kills French soldier, 6 wounded
French President Emmanuel Macron (photo: Getty Images)
A French soldier was killed in a drone attack on a military base in Iraq on March 12. Six more soldiers were wounded, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
As reported, the attack took place in the city of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Drones attacked a joint base of the Peshmerga forces (Armed Forces of Iraqi Kurdistan) and the French contingent in the Makhmur area.
It was initially reported that at least six French soldiers were wounded.
Macron confirmed the death of Arnaud Frion, a senior sergeant from the 7th Battalion of Alpine Chasseurs from Varces.
Several other French soldiers were wounded.
"This attack on our forces is unacceptable. Their presence in Iraq is part of a strict framework of counterterrorism efforts. War in Iran cannot justify such attacks," the French president stressed.
Strike on a military base in Iraq
On the night of March 12, a drone struck an Italian military base in Erbil, in northern Iraq.
About 300 Italian soldiers are stationed there, training local Kurdish forces. French troops are also present at the base.
Initially, the Italian Ministry of Defense said it was a missile strike, but later clarified that a drone destroyed a military vehicle.
Where the drone came from is still unknown. There is a version that it may have simply fallen due to loss of altitude.
Due to the escalation following the operation by the United States and Israel, the number of troops at the base has already been reduced.
After the drone attack on the base of Western troops in Iraq, the United Kingdom accused Moscow of assisting Iran.
