A military base in Kuwait was attacked: 300 Italian Air Force personnel, including 250 Leonardo employees, escaped unharmed.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the news during a press briefing at the Farnesina following the attack by the United States and Israel and Iran's response.
"As far as we know, Iran's reaction is against American bases, like the one in Kuwait, where there are over 300 Italian Air Force personnel," Tajani explained. "However, I also spoke with General Conserva, who confirmed that there is no problem."
Minister Tajani: "Our soldiers are safe."
He then added: "Our soldiers are all safe in Lebanon, Jordan, and even the Carabinieri in Jericho. In short, the situation at the moment is not a cause for serious alarm for our fellow citizens, especially the military, but it is certainly a difficult and complicated situation; it won't be a blitzkrieg."
Tajani confirmed the presence of Italian soldiers in the Middle Eastern bases targeted by Tehran's counteroffensive following the attack by Israel and the US.
The situation is tense, and a possible evacuation of Italian personnel in Iran starting Monday has not been ruled out. Specifically, in Iraq, where the Americans attacked a Shiite militia base 60 kilometers from Baghdad, approximately 350 soldiers are currently in bunkers and shelters.
Also in the shelters are approximately 250 Leonardo employees operating near the Al Salem base in Kuwait, which was attacked by pro-Iranian militias. The soldiers present at the base were also unharmed. At the base near Amman, Jordan, approximately 70 Italian soldiers are also in bunkers.
There is also particular concern for Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where there are thousands of Italians, including tourists, and where explosions have been reported. In Doha alone, there are approximately 3 Italians, who have been sent an alert urging them to stay indoors and seek shelter. In the Emirates, however, 20 Italians are registered, in addition to tourists.
It seems to me that the news is confusing; however, it is positive that the military and Leonardo technicians were unharmed. There is still concern for civilians in Arab countries, and perhaps a controlled evacuation should be considered, but more clarification and coordination are needed.
It's pointless to argue about which leader is worse, the US and Israeli leaders on the one hand, and the Iranian leaders on the other. The only thing that's certain, unfortunately, is that it's always the defenseless population who pays the price. In any case, we agree that Trump was wrong, that he violated every rule, without even consulting Congress and without even informing many European leaders, much less our own Prime Minister, his great fan, demonstrating his high regard for her. However, the condemnation of Trump's actions, calling for respect for human rights and nations, by ruthless dictators and war criminals like Putin, Xijin Ping, and Erdogan, is simply unbearable!