The growing instability in the Middle East is pushing Italy to reassess the positioning of its military contingents in the region. According to Il Sole 24 Ore, political-military circles are considering a redeployment of forces towards more western areas considered less exposed to operational risks, while maintaining participation in international missions.
At the same time, the withdrawal of some Italian soldiers from Iraqi Kurdistan has already begun, following a drone attack on a base hosting the Italian contingent. During the incident, about 120 soldiers took refuge in bunkers, without sustaining injuries.
The attack on the Italian base in Iraq
The incident that accelerated government assessments concerns the base in Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, where Italian soldiers are engaged in the international mission against the Islamic State.
A drone attack hit the area of the Italian military base causing damage to some vehicles and structures, but without causing casualties among the soldiers, who managed to take shelter in the bunkers of the facility.
The incident is part of an increasingly unstable regional framework, characterized by attacks on Western bases and tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, with the risk of the conflict spreading to several countries in the region.
The gradual withdrawal from Iraqi Kurdistan
After the attack, Italy initiated a gradual reduction of the contingent present in Erbil.
In recent days:
- over 100 soldiers have returned to Italy,
- about 70 have been transferred to Jordan,
- while about 140 remain at the Iraqi base, awaiting any further operational decisions.
The complete withdrawal will not happen immediately, as the operation is logistically complex and requires land transfers to other countries in the region before returning home.
The plan for repositioning westward
Alongside the withdrawal from Iraqi Kurdistan, the Italian government is considering a new setup of the military device in the Middle East.
The hypothesis under study involves:
- moving part of the troops to safer areas,
- maintaining the Italian presence in international missions,
- ensuring greater protection for bases and military personnel.
The repositioning westward would not mean abandoning the region, but rather adapting the military presence to new strategic conditions.
Italy will not enter the conflict
The government has reiterated that Italy will not participate in the ongoing war in the region, but will continue to support international missions already authorized by Parliament, especially those dedicated to training local forces and stabilizing the area.
The priority, at this stage, remains the safety of Italian soldiers deployed abroad, in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context characterized by a rapid deterioration of regional security.
The repositioning of contingents thus represents a precautionary measure, designed to maintain Italy's international commitments while reducing the direct exposure of soldiers in the most at-risk areas of the Middle East.
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