By Micah Jonah, March 13, 2026
A French soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion, was killed in an attack in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, several other soldiers reportedly wounded, French President, Emmanuel Macron announced.
Macron described the assault as “unacceptable”, stressed that French forces are in Iraq solely as part of the fight against terrorism, unrelated to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The attack was claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, highlighting how Iraq has become a “second battlefield” amid the regional war. The group has targeted US and allied facilities, including military bases and consulates.
In response to the escalating threat, France plans to deploy its flagship aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, to the Mediterranean and additional air defence units to Cyprus.
Separately, Italy reported an overnight airstrike on its military base in Erbil hosting NATO personnel, but no injuries were reported.
The incident underscores the widening impact of the US-Israel-Iran conflict on international forces stationed in Iran.
