Italian base in iraqi kurdistan hit by missile, defence ministry says

Italian military base in Iraqi Kurdistan hit by airstrike

Details of the Airstrike Incident

Initial Reports and Official Statements

ROME, March 12 (Reuters) - An Italian military base in Iraqi Kurdistan was hit overnight by an airstrike though no injuries were reported, the Italian defence officials said on Thursday.

The defence ministry initially spoke of a missile attack on the Italian base in Erbil, but ministry sources later said it was a drone that had destroyed a military vehicle, possibly by accident.

Casualties and Immediate Response

"There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all fine," the ministry said on X, shortly after midnight.

Ministry sources added that the drone may not have been fired at the Italian base intentionally, but rather hit it accidentally after losing altitude.

Base Security Measures and Aftermath

Precautionary Actions Taken

The commander of the base, Colonel Stefano Pizzotti, told the Sky TG24 broadcaster that military staff had been warned of aerial threats and had taken shelter in bunkers hours before the strike.

Ongoing Investigation

It was not known where the strike had come from, he said, adding that the air raid alert had finished but experts were still checking and securing the area.

Background on Italian Military Presence

Italy has around 300 troops stationed in Erbil training Kurdish security forces, the ministry said on its website.

Recent Changes in Troop Numbers

However, Pizzotti said numbers had recently been reduced because of the danger from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, Angelo Amante, Claudia Cristoferi; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)