STORY: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (March 13) France's posture in the region remained defensive after death of a French soldier, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy in Paris.

One French soldier was killed and six others were wounded after an Iran-made drone attack in northern Iraq.

“Faced with the ongoing war, France's position is purely defensive, in support of its allies, and can never justify any attack against it”, said Macron, as the attack raised questions in Paris over France's stance in the conflict.

The soldiers, among about 600 French personnel based in Iraq, were providing counterterrorism training in the region as part of an international coalition fighting Islamic State and were struck on Thursday (March 12) just hours after an Italian base was also targeted in the area.

“On behalf of the nation, I wish to pay respectful tribute today to the memory of Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion in Varse. He died for France last night during an attack launched near Erbil,” Macron said.

The attack is the latest sign of an escalation in the region 13 days after the United States and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, triggering a response from Tehran that has targeted countries across the region.

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France's position in the Middle East region is defensive, Macron says, after death of French soldier

VIDEO SHOWS: FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE / MACRON GIVING PRESS CONFERENCE

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SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MARCH 13, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY ARRIVING FOR PRESS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“On behalf of the nation, I wish to pay respectful tribute today to the memory of Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion in Varse. He died for France last night during an attack launched near Erbil.”

3. MACRON LISTENING TO ZELENSKIY TALKING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Our soldiers were struck while, as we have been doing for several years, they were fighting as part of an international coalition against the resurgence of terrorism in the region and in aid of Iraqi sovereignty. This is obviously unacceptable.”

5. VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS DURING PRESS CONFERENCE

6. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Faced with the ongoing war, France's position is purely defensive, in support of its allies, and can never justify any attack against it.”

7. VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS DURING PRESS CONFERENCE