Italy is withdrawing its troops from Iraq following a drone attack on its base as Iran continues to lash out at US allies in the Middle East.
Italian soldiers were targeted by an overnight airstrike which hit the Camp Singara airbase in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.
Around 300 troops, including NATO serviceman, are stationed at the base and a restaurant and two vehicles were destroyed.
No one was injured but around 100 of Italy’s soldiers have returned to Rome as the Iranian Republic ramps up attacks on the region.
The regime has relentlessly bombarded the Kurdistan region amid fears of an uprising from Kurdish troops.
Iraqi Kurds reportedly began a ground offensive on Tehran in the early days of the conflict although it was later dismissed by leaders.
The attack on Camp Singara, where Italian soldiers were based as part of the US-led coalition against ISIS to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces, was deliberate, according to Italy’s defence minister.
Asked if it was intentional, Guido Crosetto said: ‘Absolutely yes. That is a NATO base within Operation Inherent Resolve, so it is also an American base.’
He did not indicate who was responsible for the strike but said the 141 Italian soldiers stationed at the site would return home, describing the move as previously planned.
‘We have already brought 102 people back from that mission, and we moved around 40 to Jordan.’
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said it was not clear where the drone had come from but added that it was probably the work of pro-Iranian militia based in Iraq.
‘I express solidarity and closeness to our soldiers, who were unharmed following the attack,’ Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
The commander of the base, Colonel Stefano Pizzotti, said military staff had been warned of aerial threats and had taken shelter in bunkers hours before the strike.
‘We are prepared and trained to deal with situations like these, and the safety of our personnel is always our top priority,’ Pizzotti said, adding that the air raid alert had ended.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani spoke with Mr Tajani following the attack.
In a statement, the Kurdistan Region Presidency said: ‘The Iraqi government must fulfill its responsibility to protect diplomatic envoys and coalition forces and no longer allow illegal groups to endanger the country’s security and interests.’
Ms Meloni has previously said she has no intention for Italy to join the war in Iran.
Despite being an ally of Donald Trump, she accused the US and Israel of acting ‘outside the scope of international law’.
She said the US had not asked to use her country’s air bases for its bombers and fighters and if they did, a debate would be needed in Italian parliament.
She also described the missile strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school, which killed more than 160 people, as a ‘massacre’.
The Italian Prime Minister said: ‘We cannot afford a regime of ayatollahs in possession of nuclear weapons, combined with a missile capability that could soon be able to directly strike Italy and Europe.’
Italy has provided air-defence assets to Gulf states and an Italian warship arrived in Cyprus earlier this week to help bolster defences.
Ms Meloni said: ‘This is not only because these are friendly nations and strategic partners of Italy, but also because there are tens of thousands of Italian citizens in that area whom we must protect, not to mention the fact that there are about 2,000 Italian soldiers stationed in the Gulf.’
Italy and France have reportedly began negotiations with Iran over a deal which would allow the safe passage of their vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The crucial passageway, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil flows, has been forced shut by the regime as it looks to cripple the world economy.
Oil prices and airfares have spiked worldwide amid fears of a global recession.
Iran warned the world to prepare for oil to hit $200 a barrel, after it attacked three cargo ships in the strait.
The regime has all but cut off access to the waterway, a chokepoint in global trade that ordinarily sees around 20 per cent of all oil pass through daily.
Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s military command said in comments directed at the US and its allies: ‘Get ready for oil be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security which you have destabilised.’
Iran also said it would make the Persian Gulf run with the ‘blood of invaders’ if the US and Israel continue their strikes.
Earlier today Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani marched with Iranians and even gave a live interview taunting Donald Trump and Israel as he appeared at a Quds Day rally in Tehran.
Larijani said Israeli attacks during the demonstrations show weakness and confusion and added Trump ‘didn’t realise’ Iran is ‘mature and determined’.
