On March 12, 2026, an Italian military base in Erbil was targeted by a Shahed-type drone attack. Thanks to a swift evacuation to bunkers, none of the 141 soldiers were injured, but the incident prompted an immediate diplomatic response from Italy.

Shahed drone attack

The unmanned aerial vehicle struck a military truck on the base grounds, causing a fire and infrastructure damage.

Personnel safety

All 141 Italian soldiers managed to take shelter in bunkers after hearing alarm sirens; no one was harmed.

Italian government response

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto deemed the attack intentional and suggested Iran's responsibility, announcing an acceleration of the partial contingent withdrawal.

Diplomatic staff reduction

In response to the threat, the government in Rome decided to reduce the number of staff at the Italian embassy in Iraq.

The Italian military base in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, was targeted by a drone attack on March 12, 2026. The unmanned aerial vehicle, identified as a Shahed-type drone, struck the base directly, destroying a military truck and causing a fire in the infrastructure. At the time of the incident, 141 Italian soldiers were present at the base, but none were injured. The military personnel managed to safely evacuate to shelters immediately after the alarm sirens were activated, which preceded the impact and subsequent explosion. Erbil

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto unequivocally condemned the incident, calling it an intentional strike targeting the Italian contingent. The head of the defense ministry suggested in his statements Iran's possible responsibility for supplying the technology used in the attack. The situation is being monitored by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who confirmed that all personnel are safe and staying in fortified parts of the base. In response to the escalation of the threat, authorities in Rome decided to immediately reduce diplomatic staff at the embassy in Iraq. „A Erbil un attacco deliberato. Resta alto il livello di allerta nella base” — Guido Crosetto via ANSA

The attack influenced the acceleration of procedures related to the presence of Italian forces in the region. Although the return of some of the 141 soldiers stationed there had been planned earlier, the current security situation may force a faster implementation of these plans. The base command informs that soldiers regularly use bunkers depending on announced alarms, and material losses to infrastructure are currently being assessed. Italian foreign missions have repeatedly been targets of attacks in Iraq, the most tragic being the 2003 bombing in Nasiriyah, where 19 Italians were killed. Erbil, a key operational point for forces combating remnants of the Islamic State, has in recent years regularly come under rocket and drone fire attributed to pro-Iranian militias.

141 (soldiers) — number of Italian military personnel present at the attacked base

Timeline of the Erbil incident: March 12, afternoon — Base alarm; March 12, evening — Drone strike; March 12, 16:53 — Crosetto's statement; March 13 — Reduction decision

Mentioned People

  • Guido Crosetto — Italian politician, Minister of Defense in the Meloni government since October 22, 2022
  • Antonio Tajani — Italian politician and journalist, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Meloni government
  • Giorgia Meloni — Italian politician, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic since October 22, 2022
  • Pizzotti — Colonel, commander of the Italian military base in Erbil