The attack on the Italian base in Erbil, Colonel Pizzotti: 'We are still in the bunker, the threat remains high'

"The base of Camp Singara was on pre-alert due to the ongoing crisis situation and, around 8:30 local time, the coalition alarm was activated for an air threat. And everyone, following procedures already established among all personnel, went safely to the assigned bunkers. And just before one o'clock, there was an air threat: it has been confirmed today that it was a drone; it struck the Italian base and caused some damage to infrastructure and materials of the base. The personnel are fine, they were protected inside the bunkers, they are all well." This was stated in a connection with Sky Tg24 by the commander of the Italian national contingent in Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, Colonel Stefano Pizzotti.

"Since 8:30 last night we have been in the bunkers because there continues to be a threat: it has not been possible to assess the damage to the infrastructure on-site, therefore quantify what happened, nor to know the origin of this threat." The work of the personnel, Pizzotti recalls, is "primarily training for the local Kurdish troops. Based on a specific request from the Iraqi government."

"Since the moment of the incident I have been in constant contact with both Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, who has witnessed all phases of this night's attack. And at the moment it is over, the air threat alarm has ended, but there are coalition bomb disposal experts on-site who are verifying, securing the area before we can access it. The morale of the personnel is still high, we wanted to reassure the families," concludes Pizzotti, emphasizing how "we are prepared and trained for these situations."