French soldier killed in drone strike near Erbil, Macron says
Mar 13th 2026
President Emmanuel Macron said a French soldier died and others were wounded after drones hit a training base near Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, marking the first French military death linked to the wider West Asia conflict.
- Macron confirmed a French soldier was killed and said several others were wounded.
- The French military said drones struck a base in Mala Qara about 40 kilometres from Erbil.
- French officials earlier reported six people wounded and said it was unclear whether the dead soldier was among them.
- A separate drone strike hit an Italian base in Erbil with no injuries and prompted Italy to temporarily withdraw personnel.
- Macron said French forces are in Iraq to fight terrorism and called the strike unacceptable.