ROME / ERBIL — March 13, 2026 : Italy has begun withdrawing its remaining military personnel from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq following a missile and drone strike on its base near Erbil International Airport on March 12. Italian officials said the drawdown had already been planned due to the deteriorating security environment in the Middle East, but the latest attack has accelerated the timetable.
The Italian contingent is stationed at Camp Singara, located within the military zone of Erbil International Airport. The base hosts Italian forces participating in the U.S.-led international coalition mission Operation Inherent Resolve, which focuses on training Kurdish Peshmerga forces and supporting operations against the Islamic State.
Gradual Reduction of Italian Forces
Before the recent regional escalation that began in late February 2026, Italy maintained more than 300 troops at Camp Singara. The deployment consisted mainly of military trainers, support personnel, and logistical staff assigned to assist Kurdish Peshmerga units.
According to the Italian Ministry of Defense, the troop presence has been steadily reduced over the past two weeks:
Approximately 100 Italian troops have already returned to Italy.
Around 70 personnel have been redeployed to bases in Jordan as a temporary relocation measure.
As of the latest update, about 140 to 141 troops remain in Erbil, awaiting evacuation.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that the withdrawal had been under preparation even before the March 12 attack. However, the suspension of direct flights and the complex logistics of operating in a conflict-affected environment mean the remaining troops will likely leave Iraq via land routes, potentially transiting through Türkiye before returning to Europe.
Italian authorities also confirmed that smaller Italian military contingents stationed in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have been partially relocated in recent weeks due to the heightened regional security situation.
Details of the March 12 Attack
The strike occurred overnight on March 12–13 and targeted the Camp Singara facility near Erbil. According to Italian military officials, the attack involved an unmanned aerial vehicle believed to be a Shahed-type drone and a missile.
Camp commander Colonel Stefano Pizzotti stated that an air-raid alert was issued at approximately 8:30 p.m. local time, allowing Italian personnel and civilian staff at the base to move into reinforced bunkers well before the impact.
The strike occurred shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time.
Officials reported:
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Casualties: None. All Italian military personnel and civilian staff were accounted for and unharmed.
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Damage: The projectile struck the perimeter area of the base, destroying a military logistics vehicle and causing limited infrastructure damage.
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Facilities affected: Reports indicate damage to structures including a base restaurant and two vehicles, though the main barracks and protected facilities were not penetrated.
Explosive ordnance disposal teams were deployed following the attack to secure the area and inspect debris from the drone and missile.
Italian Government Response
Defense Minister Crosetto stated that the attack appeared deliberate, but emphasized that the security precautions implemented at the base prevented casualties.
“We had implemented all the security conditions necessary to protect the contingent,” Crosetto said, noting that personnel had sufficient warning to reach shelters.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also condemned the strike and held discussions with Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, emphasizing the need for caution to avoid further escalation and ensure the safety of coalition personnel in the region.
Broader Regional Context
The security situation in Iraqi Kurdistan has deteriorated since the start of the United States and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Monitoring groups and local officials report that nearly 200 drone, missile, and rocket attacks have targeted military and civilian infrastructure across the Kurdistan Region since the start of the conflict.
Several coalition facilities in the region, including bases near Erbil International Airport, have been placed on heightened alert due to the risk of attacks by Iranian forces or Iran-aligned groups.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly stated that Italy does not intend to participate in the broader conflict involving Iran. Speaking to the Italian Senate, Meloni emphasized that the government’s priority is the protection of approximately 2,000 Italian troops deployed across the Middle East, as well as tens of thousands of Italian civilians living in the region.
Status of the Evacuation
Italian officials described the withdrawal from Erbil as a temporary security measure while the regional situation remains unstable. No exact timetable has been publicly announced for the complete evacuation of the remaining personnel from Camp Singara.
The Italian government said it is continuing to monitor the situation through its embassy in Baghdad, coordination with coalition partners, and military command channels operating within the international coalition framework.
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