Italy Withdraws Personnel from Military Base in Iraq Following Drone Strike
Italy has begun withdrawing personnel from a military base in northern Iraq after the facility was struck by a drone attack, according to statements from Italian officials and international news agencies.
The strike occurred at a base near Erbil in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, where Italian troops are stationed as part of international security operations. The facility hosts personnel involved in coalition missions supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that the attack caused damage to a logistics vehicle but did not result in casualties among the soldiers stationed there.
Officials initially described the incident as a missile strike but later indicated that the base was hit by a drone. Military personnel had reportedly been warned of potential aerial threats before the strike and took shelter, preventing injuries.
Following the incident, Italian authorities said they would withdraw remaining personnel from the site. According to Crosetto, the withdrawal had already been planned before the attack but would now be completed.
Italy maintains a contingent of troops in the Kurdish region primarily for training missions with Kurdish security forces. Around 300 Italian soldiers have been deployed in the area to assist in training and stabilization efforts as part of the broader international coalition operating in Iraq.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani suggested that the strike may have been carried out by armed groups aligned with Iran, although authorities said investigations are still ongoing and responsibility has not been officially confirmed.
Security analysts note that attacks on military installations hosting foreign forces in Iraq have increased in recent months, particularly in areas where coalition troops remain deployed. These attacks are often linked to regional tensions and the presence of militia groups opposed to foreign military forces operating in the country.
Despite the withdrawal from the affected base, Italian officials have not indicated that the country will end its broader security cooperation with Iraq. The mission in the region has mainly focused on training and advisory roles rather than combat operations.
The situation remains under monitoring by Italian authorities and coalition partners as regional security dynamics continue to evolve.
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