ITALY REPOSITIONS MILITARY PERSONNEL IN IRAQ AND KUWAIT BASES

"Needs for greater operationality." This is the reason indicated by sources close to the Ministry of Defense for the decision to re-modulate the presence of the Italian contingent in Iraq and Kuwait. Military personnel have been transferred to various bases within the operational theater. This initiative was taken in light of increased commitments, although the total number of Italian military personnel deployed between Erbil and the Ali Al Salem airbase will remain unchanged, at approximately 1,100 troops.

This repositioning of forces comes two days after Defence Minister Crosetto explicitly ruled out any Italian military intervention in ongoing conflicts, including with Iran. "We do not intend to go to war," the head of Defense stated, assuring that "there will never be Italian soldiers or planes that can bomb Iran; this seems evident and clear. Not only because it is constitutionally impossible, but also because there is no will to do so."

Italian Military Engagement in the Region

The presence of Italian military personnel in the Erbil area—where a drone attack targeting the U.S. consulate was thwarted just a week ago—is linked to Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission established in 2014 to combat the advance of Islamic terrorism, and to "Prima Parthica," launched in 2018 and inspired by the Roman legion of the same name created by Septimius Severus. The contingent comprises personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces.

Parthica's objective, specifically created to counter ISIS's advance in the region, is to support the training of Iraqi forces, ensuring support actions that also aim to counter terrorist phenomena. Our military personnel are engaged in transferring knowledge in the field of demining and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), as well as supporting the development of a local military structure and providing logistical support. In parallel, civil-military cooperation initiatives are promoted to strengthen ties with the local population and institutions, especially in the sectors of healthcare and civil protection.

So far, approximately 48,000 Peshmerga and Iraqi police officers have been trained, including nearly 2,000 Kurdish military personnel in 2023 alone and over 3,000 police officers. Among the specific activities carried out by our military is training in countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), aimed at the Zeravani units of the Kurdish military police, with over 40 operators trained at the Benaslawa base by Italian technicians from the Center of Excellence in Rome. Since November 30, 2022, a team composed of Carabinieri has been operational in Baghdad, providing training to Iraqi police forces.

In Kuwait, Italy contributes to coalition operations against terrorism. From the Ali Al Salem airbase, Italian Air Force personnel conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and especially data collection activities. In January, the Eurofighters of the Italian National Contingent Command Air/Task Force Air Kuwait carried out training exercises with Iraqi F-16s. These exercises aim to improve rapid response capabilities and interoperability with local air forces in a still unstable scenario. All Italian military activities are planned and coordinated under the direction of the Joint Operations Headquarters (COVI), ensuring interoperability with allied commands and national strategic coordination.