Overview
- Italy’s defense chief said a March 15 drone strike at Ali Al Salem Air Base destroyed an Italian MQ-9A Predator inside a shelter at a facility hosting U.S. and Italian forces.
- Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reported no injuries to Italian personnel and said prior reductions left only essential staff in place, adding the loss does not affect troop safety.
- The destroyed aircraft supported reconnaissance and surveillance for Italy’s contribution to the anti-ISIS coalition and had remained deployed to ensure continuity of operations.
- Italian authorities attributed the strike to Iran, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italians are not a target and reiterated that Italy is not at war.
- Officials linked the incident to a recent string of attacks on sites hosting Italian forces, including damage reported in Erbil and other locations, with ANSA counting four such strikes in two weeks.