French Military Base Targeted

France condemned the attack, emphasizing that its forces are in Iraq strictly as part of the fight against terrorism, and that regional conflicts such as the Iran war cannot justify targeting troops.

The strike targeted the joint Peshmerga-French military base in Mahmur, northern Iraq. Witnesses reported two powerful explosions near Erbil Airport, where U.S. forces are also stationed, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion “died for France”, highlighting the nation’s commitment to fighting terrorism alongside its international partners.

French troops have been deployed in Iraq since 2015 as part of an international coalition against ISIS (DAESH), working closely with Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Their mission includes training local forces and conducting operations against terrorist threats in the region.

Macron reassured the public that France stands by the wounded soldiers and the families of the fallen, stressing that the attack will not deter French operations in Iraq.