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

An Italian military base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, was struck by a missile overnight, but all 300 personnel are reported safe with no injuries, the defense ministry said. Officials confirmed troops took shelter in bunkers during the incident.

Reuters

12 March 2026 at 06:53:52

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

Emergency vehicles are parked in front of the Arjaan Rotana Hotel which was targeted by a drone in Erbil, Iraq, March 6, 2026.

Khalid al Mousily/Reuters

An Italian military base in Iraqi Kurdistan was struck by a missile overnight 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.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has been in constant contact with senior military commanders over the incident, the ministry added.

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

Italy has around 300 troops in Erbil, working on training Kurdish security forces, the defence ministry said on its website.

-Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Jacqueline Wong/Reuters