Italian Base in Iraqi Kurdistan Hit by Missile, No Injuries Reported

An Italian military base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, was struck by a missile overnight on March 12, 2026, though no injuries were reported among Italian personnel, the Italian defense ministry announced.

Details of the Attack

The missile hit the base at approximately 11:10 p.m. Local time, impacting the dining room area. A fire broke out, affecting at least two military vehicles, but was quickly contained according to the defense ministry. Italian soldiers were in bunkers at the time of the attack, following an alarm that sounded around 8:30 p.m. Local time.

Italian Response and Investigation

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has been in constant contact with senior military commanders regarding the incident. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that all Italian personnel were safe in bunkers as reported by Reuters. Bomb disposal teams are currently examining the debris to determine if the base was hit by a missile or a drone.

Context and Regional Tensions

Italy has approximately 300 troops stationed in Erbil as part of the United States-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), focusing on training Kurdish security forces as reported by Rudaw. The base is located within a larger complex that includes bases from other countries, primarily the United States.

The attack occurred during a period of heightened tension in Erbil, with the governor reporting 17 attacks that were “neutralized” on the same night according to reports. Kurdish sources suggest these offensives originated from both Iran and Iraqi Shiite militias.

Recent Visits and Diplomatic Engagement

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto visited Erbil in December 2024, meeting with Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail and President Nechirvan Barzani as detailed by Rudaw and the Kurdistan Region Presidency. Discussions focused on combating terrorism and strengthening security infrastructure. He also met with his Iraqi counterpart in Baghdad.

Previous Attacks

This is not the first time the Italian base in Erbil has been targeted. In January 2020, both the Italian and American facilities were attacked in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.