Italian base in Iraqi Kurdistan hit by missile, defence ministry says

An Italian military base in Iraqi Kurdistan was ​struck by a missile ‌though no injuries were reported, the Italian defense ministry said ​on Thursday.

"A missile hit our ​base in Erbil. There are ⁠no casualties or injuries ​among the Italian personnel. They are ​all fine," the ministry said on X shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on ​X ​that Italian ⁠military personnel had taken shelter in a ​bunker and all were "well ​and ⁠safe".

“I strongly condemn the attack on the Italian base in Erbil. I just spoke with the Italian Ambassador to Iraq. Fortunately, all our soldiers are well and safe in the bunker. I express my solidarity and gratitude to them for their daily service to the homeland,” Tajani said.

Italy has around 300 troops in Erbil, working on training ⁠Kurdish ​security forces, Reuters reported citing an Italian defense ministry statement.