Macron thanks Sudani for ‘strengthening protection measures’ for French forces in Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday thanked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for "strengthening the protection measures for our forces" in Iraq, coming after a French soldier was recently killed near Erbil in a strike claimed by a pro-Iran militia.

A base housing both Kurdish and French forces in Makhmour, southwest of Erbil, was targeted late Thursday night, leading to the death of Arnaud Frion, a French soldier, and the injury of several others.

The Iraqi premier and the French president held a phone call on Friday in which the former expressed his "regret and solidarity" with the victims of the attack, assuring that an investigation process into the incident has been launched.

"I thank him for his commitment to shedding full light on this attack and to strengthening the protection measures for our forces, which are present in Iraq to fight, alongside the Iraqis, against the scourge of terrorism," Macron wrote on X on Saturday in reference to the call.

"We will continue our coordination and efforts in favor of the country's stability and sovereignty, as well as regional de-escalation."

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also spoke with Macron on Friday, expressing his "condolences to the family of this heroic soldier, as well as to the French people, who sacrificed his life in Kurdistan for peace."

Ashab al-Kahf, an Iraqi pro-Iran militia, early Friday claimed responsibility for the attack on the Makhmour base, coming as Iran-aligned factions, many of which nominally under Baghdad's control, have repeatedly targeted military bases and diplomatic facilities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq amid the US-Israeli war with Iran.

In the group's statement, Ashab al-Kahf cited the presence of the French aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle in the Middle East as a rationale for the attack, adding that "all French interests in Iraq and the region" will be targets.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella of pro-Iran militias, on Friday announced offering “substantial” financial rewards to anyone, Iraqi or foreigner, who provides accurate information on the whereabouts of US troops in the country.

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