EditDrone attacks strike Italian and French military bases in Iraq amid Iran’s regional retaliation
While the strike on the Italian base in Erbil caused only material damages, a subsequent attack in the nearby Makhmour area wounded six French soldiers and killed one officer
In a surge of violence linked to Iran’s broader retaliation against U.S. and Israeli strikes, drone attacks targeted military bases hosting Italian and French forces in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Thursday.
While the strike on the Italian base at Camp Singara in Erbil caused only material damage with no casualties, a subsequent attack in the nearby Makhmour area wounded six French soldiers and killed one officer, escalating concerns over the safety of international coalitions in the region.
The Italian incident occurred overnight on 11-12 March, when a drone struck Camp Singara, a facility near Erbil International Airport that hosts 141 Italian soldiers as part of Operation Prima Parthica. This mission, integrated with the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition and NATO’s Iraq operations, focuses on training, assisting, and supporting Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, alongside logistics and protection duties
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed via X no victims or injuries among military personnel, though the attack caused material damage, including the destruction of a logistics vehicle.
Crosetto described the strike as deliberate, targeting the NATO complex, and noted prior attempts in the area.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added that the drone’s origin remained unclear but was likely from bases controlled by Iran-backed Shiite militias.
Hours later, on 12 March, a drone attack hit a joint Peshmerga-French base in the Makhmour area, approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil. Six French soldiers, engaged in counter-terrorism training with Iraqi partners, were wounded and evacuated to a nearby medical facility.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on X that Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Alpine Hunter Battalion “died for France” in the incident, condemning it as “unacceptable.”
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw confirmed the strike involved two drones targeting the base in Mala Qara, with no Peshmerga casualties reported.
France maintains hundreds of troops in the Erbil region for anti-ISIS operations, emphasizing their role is strictly defensive and unrelated to the ongoing war with Iran.
No group has claimed responsibility for either attack, but they are widely attributed to Iran-aligned militias within the “Axis of Resistance,” part of Tehran’s multi-front response to massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that began 28 February, involving over 2,000 drones and 600 missiles.
Kurdish media and monitoring groups like Rudaw reported nearly 250 drone attacks on the Kurdistan region by midday March 12, with over 200 striking Erbil province alone, resulting in at least four deaths and 19 injuries across the area.
Additional strikes continued into 13 March, with three drones intercepted over Erbil and al-Sulaymaniyah.
These incidents follow a pattern of increased assaults by Iraqi Shiite militants on U.S. and allied interests in Iraq over the past three to four days, amid a Middle East conflict nearing its two-week mark, which has caused thousands of deaths and widespread disruption.
The attacks highlight the vulnerability of international forces in Iraq, where soldiers from multiple nations, including Italy and France, train local security forces under the U.S.-led Global Coalition against ISIS.
Italy plans to withdraw its contingent from Camp Singara, a move Crosetto described as pre-planned but now accelerated amid the threats.
France, meanwhile, is bolstering its regional presence by deploying naval assets, including an aircraft carrier strike group, to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and potentially the Strait of Hormuz for defensive support to allies.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the Erbil strike on X, stating she was in “constant contact” with Tajani and Crosetto to monitor the situation.
Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party (PD), pressed for parliamentary updates, with PD Senate leader Francesco Boccia expressing “concern and solidarity” for the troops and demanding ongoing briefings until the next European Council.
Other opposition figures from AVS and Azione called for bipartisan dialogue and keeping Parliament engaged beyond partisan lines.
The ruling majority, including Lega, Forza Italia, and Fratelli d’Italia, echoed solidarity but deferred detailed reports until more facts emerged
Macron’s statement underscored France’s commitment to combating Daesh (ISIS) since 2015, insisting the attacks were unjustified.
The incidents have drawn international attention, raising questions about the sustainability of anti-ISIS missions amid Iran’s retaliatory campaign.
With EUalive’s partner FocusEurope.it, Reuters, social media.
Caption: France’s President Emmanuel Macron arrives for a ceremony paying tribute to the victims of terrorism at Les Invalides in Paris, France 11 March 2026. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL
Updated: March 13, 2026 - 05:48
