This marks the first French military casualty in the context of the war triggered by the Israeli and American offensive against Iran on February 28.
“Sub-officer Arnaud Frion, of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins in Varces, died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq,” Macron wrote. The French Armed Forces General Staff confirmed in a statement that, in addition to Frion’s death, six other French personnel were injured. The local French command indicated the attack involved a Shahed drone.
According to the French President, the attack in Erbil targeted counter-terrorism forces. The Élysée Palace emphasized the “defensive role” of French forces stationed in northern Iraq.
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
Forces from several countries – including Italy and France – integrated into an international anti-jihadist alliance are training local security forces in Iraqi Kurdistan. The escalating conflict in the Middle East has raised concerns about regional stability.
In recent hours, an Iran-backed armed group, designated Ashab al-Kahf, threatened to attack French interests in the region, following the deployment of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier to the eastern Mediterranean.
Jornal da Tarde | 13 de março de 2026
“Following the arrival of the French aircraft carrier in the area of operations of the US Central Command and its involvement in operations, we announce that, from tonight, all French interests in Iraq and the region will be targeted,” Ashab al-Kahf declared on the Telegram messaging platform. The group even issued a warning to security forces, urging them to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from a base in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, where French troops are stationed. The United States has confirmed the deaths of seven of its soldiers in the offensive against the Iranian regime in recent days. A U.S. Air Force refueling plane crashed Thursday in western Iraq. The Central Command noted this loss “was not due to hostile or allied fire.” More than 200 Targets in 24 Hours American and Israeli war machines are continuing successive bombing campaigns against Iran on the day the regime marks Qods Day, an annual day of demonstrations, held since 1979, against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The Israel Defense Forces have claimed responsibility for attacks on more than 200 targets in a single day on Iranian soil, including missile launchers and the Islamic Republic’s defense systems. At least two people were injured in northern Israel after a new wave of missiles were launched from Iran. The Tsahal also announced it had targeted a suspected member of the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah in Beirut. On Friday, according to the France-Presse agency, more explosions were heard in Dubai. Saudi Arabia, for its part, said it had shot down 45 drones in the east of the country. c/ agencies
