Iran Strikes Italian Military Base in Erbil, Forcing Troops Into Bunkers

An Italian military base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, was struck overnight on March 11–12, forcing Italian personnel to shelter in bunkers but causing no casualties, according to multiple government statements.

“Sally Shakkour ALBAWABA - Italy said Thursday that its military base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, was struck by a missile, according to the Italian Defence Ministry”

Al Bawaba

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced: "A missile hit our base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all safe,"

Al Bawaba

Other reports confirmed that "There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all fine," and noted that "there were no deaths or injuries: the Italians at the base had been moved into a secure bunker."

Officials and media differed on the weapon and intent: Italy’s defence ministry initially described a missile strike but some sources later said a drone may have hit the facility, possibly destroying a logistics vehicle and perhaps by accident.

The Straits Times reported that "ministry sources later said it was a drone that had destroyed a military vehicle, possibly by accident,"

Anadolu Agency

while other outlets emphasised uncertainty: "It is not yet known whether it was hit by a missile or a drone" and described the incident as "was struck by a drone or missile attack, likely launched by pro-Iran militias in the context of the escalation between Iran and the United States in the region."

Rome said it had already begun reducing its presence in the area and was organising the return of personnel; officials gave specific figures for redeployments.

“Missile hits Italian base in northern Iraq Foreign minister condemns strike on base in Erbil; says all Italian personnel are safe in bunker ISTANBUL A missile struck an Italian base in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said, as tensions escalate across the Middle East amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran”

Anadolu Ajansı

Defence Minister Crosetto and other Italian sources stated that "102 personnel have already returned to Italy, while about 40 others have been relocated to Jordan,"

domestic reporting repeated that "102 people had already returned to Italy and another 40 had been moved to Jordan," leaving "There are currently 141 Italians at the Erbil facility, now all gathered in the bunkers."

The strike landed amid a wider regional escalation tied to U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran and retaliatory Iranian strikes, with Iraq increasingly exposed as a front where U.S. and coalition forces, energy infrastructure and Iran-aligned militias coexist.

Reports noted that "The base in Erbil in northern Iraq hosts several US military and diplomatic facilities and is part of a NATO presence in the region,"

ANSA

that "The incident comes as the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran entered its thirteenth day,"

and that "Iraq is particularly exposed to the regional escalation. Long a proxy battleground between Washington and Tehran, it hosts U.S. and coalition forces, major energy infrastructure and powerful militias aligned with Iran."

Investigations and diplomacy were immediate but inconclusive: Italian officials condemned the attack and parliamentary figures expressed solidarity while authorities worked to establish responsibility, noting that the origin—whether Iranian state forces or Iran‑aligned militias—remained unclear.

“The trigger: An overnight drone strike hit Camp Singara, the Italian military facility located inside the military complex of Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan”

Decode39

Italy’s foreign minister posted "Strong condemnation for the attack suffered by the Italian base in Erbil,"

Decode39

commentators underlined that "it was not yet known whether the attack came from Iran or from its allied militias present in Iraq,"

and political voices in Italy said "the Five Star Movement is close to the Italian troops who in Erbil saw their base struck by a drone: fortunately they are uninjured and are in a secure condition."