Missile Attack on Italian Military Base in Iraq
Defense Minister Guido Crossetto has confirmed that an Italian military base in Iraq’s Kurdistan region experienced a missile strike early Thursday. While the incident resulted in property damage, fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Currently, Italian authorities have not verified if Iran was responsible for the attack.
“A missile hit our base in Erbil. Thankfully, all our Italian personnel are safe and in good spirits. We’re receiving updates from the Chief of Defense Staff and the Commander of Joint Force Operations,” Crossetto stated in a Ministry of Defense document.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the attack on social media, stating, “I’ve just spoken to the Italian ambassador to Iraq. Luckily, our soldiers are safe in their bunkers. My solidarity and gratitude go out to them for their service.” He emphasized the need for the Italian government to assess the situation before deciding on further steps.
In an interview shortly after the attack, Tajani mentioned it was definitely an unacceptable act, but added that a thorough investigation is critical before assigning blame. He indicated that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was informed about the incident, and they are closely monitoring the situation.
Tajani also mentioned that the government currently has “no information” regarding any additional threat, asserting, “We don’t know if the attack is ongoing. The Italian soldiers remain secure in their bunkers.” He reiterated Italy’s commitment to reducing tensions in the Middle East.
The base, which is located in a region shared with bases from other nations, might not have been specifically targeted at Italians, according to Tajani. When asked about the nature of the missile used, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding whether it was Iranian or linked to a pro-Iranian militia but affirmed, “The Kurdish area is under attack and it’s a precarious situation.”
Colonel Stefano Pizzotti, the base’s commander, shared further insights into the incident. He explained that personnel were already on high alert due to an air threat alert that had been activated. Just before 1 a.m. local time, base staff were directed to move to designated bunkers. “Though air raids have not been confirmed, there have been attacks that damaged infrastructure in various bases,” he said.
Pizzotti noted that bomb disposal experts are on-site to secure the area, although the alert has now been lifted. He confirmed that Italian military personnel at the base are involved in training local Kurdish forces at the request of the region’s government and mentioned that their numbers had decreased just before the current crisis unfolded.
“There are fewer personnel than usual currently,” Pizzotti remarked, adding, “The staff’s morale is high, and I want to reassure their families. We are trained and prepared for such situations.”
