Two French occupation soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq in quick succession, as confirmed by the French Defense Ministry on Monday.

The first fatality, Warrant Officer Nicolas Latourte from the 6th Engineer Regiment, passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023, during an "operational exercise" within Iraq.

The ministry provided minimal details, stating that he sustained fatal injuries during a combat training exercise in an urban setting. He was declared deceased at a military hospital in Erbil, a city within the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The second loss occurred just two days prior when Sergeant Baptiste Gauchot from the 19th Engineer Regiment reportedly succumbed to grave injuries sustained in a road accident. The accident involved another fellow officer who also tragically passed away at the same Erbil hospital.

Both of these soldiers were actively participating in "Operation Chammal" which was allegedly initiated in 2014 to "provide support to Iraqi forces in their struggle against ISIS insurgents".

French President Emmanuel Macron shared a message on social media, acknowledging the soldiers' commitment to safeguarding their nation's values. 

Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu highlighted Latourte's role as a trainer on a mission to assist Iraqis in their "unrelenting fight against terrorism". 

This comes shortly after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said that Iraq no longer required the presence of foreign combat units to combat the threat of ISIS. The Prime Minister's statement came during a meeting with military commanders, where he emphasized the nation's new phase of self-reliance in its fight against terrorism.

It is worth noting that the involvement of French occupation forces in Iraq, specifically through "Operation Chammal", has sparked controversy about the broader implications of foreign military meddling and its impact on the political dynamics of West Asia.

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