Newsletters
A missile struck an Italian military base in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil overnight Wednesday to Thursday, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, as tensions escalate across the Middle East amid U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
"Strong condemnation for the attack suffered by the Italian base in Erbil," Tajani wrote on X. He said he spoke with the Italian ambassador to Iraq following the strike. "Fortunately, all our military personnel are well and safe in the bunker," Tajani added.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed the strike in a statement on X: "A missile hit our base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among Italian personnel. Everyone is in good condition. I am being continuously updated by the chief of staff and the Joint Operations Command (COVI)."
Colonel Stefano Pizzotti, commander of the Italian base in Erbil, confirmed the attack to SKY TG24, saying, "We were already on high alert, and around 8:30 p.m. local time an air raid alarm was issued. We safely reached the designated bunkers. Shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time, an air threat of yet-to-be-determined origin hit the Italian base and caused damage to the infrastructure."
"The personnel are safe; everyone is in good condition. The source of the threat remains unclear. Bomb disposal experts are currently on site to secure the area, but the alarm has been lifted," he added.
Tajani told Rete4 television that the situation was "unacceptable" and that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had been informed. "I reaffirmed the solidarity and gratitude to our military serving the homeland," Tajani said on X.
Pizzotti noted that Italian forces in Iraq train local Kurdish units at the request of the Iraqi government. "Shortly before the crisis began, the unit numbers had been reduced. Today, there are fewer people than there normally would be. Personnel morale remains high, and we wanted to reassure their families," he said.
Italian media reported that Italian soldiers in Erbil are engaged in counter-terrorism operations against the terrorist organization Daesh.
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw said 17 attacks were launched against Erbil overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. "All drone attacks were repelled, and there were no deaths. Only material damage occurred," Hoshnawe told local media.
A drone attack targeted a site near Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq on Wednesday evening, causing a fire.
2 min read
Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent reported hearing explosions after the airport's air defense systems were activated, followed by a fire and rising plumes of smoke from the targeted area.
The airport hosts a military base used by U.S. forces.
Hours before the attack, a suicide drone shot down by air defense systems crashed into the building where the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Cabinet meets.
The crash caused a small fire at the site.
In Kori village in Erbil, a drone crashed into a house roof, causing damage.
The incident comes amid U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran launched Feb. 28 that have killed about 1,300 people, including several top officials.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries that host U.S. military assets.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
