On Sunday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron told Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate Ali al-Zaidi that Iraq should quickly conclude its investigation of the March 12 attack that killed a French soldier in Erbil.

“I congratulated him on his nomination and conveyed my best wishes for success in this decisive mission for Iraq’s future, especially in a particularly demanding regional context,” President Macron posted on X. “A stable, sovereign Iraq that is fully in control of its own destiny is essential for the security of both the Middle East and Europe,” he added.

On March 12, a drone attack targeted the Peshmerga base of Mala Qara in Erbil Governorate, where French soldiers were deployed. In the attack, seven soldiers were injured, including Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion, who later died from his injuries.

In a phone call with President Macron on March 13, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani strongly condemned the attack and called on Baghdad to rein in outlawed armed groups.

On April 9, then-Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told President Macron that the suspects involved in the drone strike had been arrested.