France’s President Macron condemns Duhok attack as ‘unacceptable’

DUHOK — French President Emmanuel Macron called Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday to condemn the drone attack on his Duhok residence and reiterate France’s support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Macron described the attack as “unacceptable” and expressed concern over what he called a worrying pattern of escalating strikes against Iraqi institutions, including the Iranian missile attack that killed six Peshmerga fighters near Soran this week, for which he offered condolences. Writing on X in French, Macron said “the sovereignty of Iraq, and of Kurdistan within it, is indispensable to regional stability,” adding that “everything must be done to prevent Iraq from being drawn into the ongoing escalation. France remains alongside its Iraqi partners.”

Barzani thanked Macron for the call and for France’s ongoing support and international positions toward Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Multiple drones targeted Duhok on Saturday, with security forces intercepting some. Prime Minister Sudani earlier called Barzani to condemn the attack and ordered a joint federal-KRG security and technical team to investigate and pursue legal action against those responsible.

Iran’s IRGC and allied militias have carried out more than 300 attacks on the Kurdistan Region since the war began Feb. 28.