A French soldier, Sergeant Baptiste Gauchot, lost his life in a tragic road accident in Iraq while participating in a training mission for the Iraqi armed forces, according to President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement on Friday.
The incident occurred when Sergeant Gauchot’s vehicle veered off the road, causing him to sustain severe injuries, as reported by France’s armed forces ministry.
Despite receiving urgent medical care at Arbil hospital, Sgt. Gauchot tragically succumbed to his injuries. Another soldier who was in the vehicle at the time is currently undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Baghdad, the ministry confirmed.
The Elysee Palace conveyed that President Macron received the news with deep sorrow, expressing his condolences and support for the Iraqi people and their authorities. The statement further emphasized France’s commitment to collaborating with Iraq in training their security forces to combat terrorism.