Macron has linked the attack to the war in the Middle East but declined to assign blame for the killing. Instead he said he would remain “prudent,” wait to speak to the Iraqi prime minister and receive more details from the France’s own armed forces.
The incident, however, comes as a pro-Iranian armed group called Ashab Al-Kahf announced on Friday that it would target “all French interests in Iraq and the region,” according to French media reports.
Amid the rising tensions in the region, Macron said that France would remain “calm, composed and determined” and continue to “be reliable with our allies, protect our citizens and defend our interests and our security.”
The French president also called the attack “unacceptable,” adding that the soldiers were in Iraq as part of an ongoing effort against the Islamic State group.
Macron last week said the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was being deployed to the Mediterranean along with fighter jets and air defense systems to protect French interests in the Middle East.
