French Soldier Killed in Drone Strike — First Western Ally Combat Death

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins (Varces) was killed in a drone attack on a joint French-Peshmerga base at Mala Qara in the Makhmour area of Iraqi Kurdistan, approximately 40 km from Erbil. At least five other French soldiers were wounded. Two drones struck the base, per Erbil's governor. It is the first French military death of the conflict. Macron called the attack 'unacceptable.' French troops were stationed as part of the anti-ISIS coalition, not Operation Epic Fury. A pro-Iranian Iraqi group had earlier warned French interests were now targets after a French aircraft carrier joined the US Central Command area. Italy also temporarily withdrew its military from an Erbil base after a separate drone strike with no casualties.