The Times of Israel reported on March 12, 2026, that a missile struck an Italian military base in Erbil, located in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, overnight. The incident immediately caused concern but ultimately resulted in no casualties.
The strike briefly heightened tensions around the facility, which hosts Italian troops engaged in international security cooperation efforts. Although the attack was alarming, preliminary reports indicated that all personnel at the base were unharmed. Italian authorities quickly took steps to verify the safety of their troops, emphasizing that the situation, while serious, was under control.
Following the attack, Italy’s defense ministry announced that all soldiers stationed at the base were safe and accounted for. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto remained in close communication with senior military commanders to follow the situation and ensure that the necessary security procedures were put in place.
The prompt coordination between the ministry and commanders in the field demonstrated Italy’s ability to respond quickly to potential threats against its forces abroad. Officials continued working overnight to determine the circumstances of the missile strike and to review the base’s security conditions.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani later stated in a message on X that the soldiers had immediately taken shelter in a bunker when the missile hit, a precaution that helped protect them from harm. Italy currently has about 300 troops deployed in Erbil, where they help train Kurdish security forces as part of broader international efforts to strengthen regional stability. The defense ministry reaffirmed that the mission remains dedicated to supporting local security forces while maintaining the safety of Italian personnel stationed in the region.