Iran, measures to protect over 900 Italian soldiers: from Iraq to Kuwait, here are the missions involved

In these tense hours all eyes are on the possible use of American military force to attack Iran. After the warnings of the past few days against the ayatollahs for the fierce repression of protests, according to Reuters Donald Trump has decided to intervene. Later in the evening, the US president, speaking from the Oval Office, clarified that he had been informed that Tehran had stopped the massacre "and there is no plan for executions". "Yesterday I would have said yes, today I would say maybe no. The situation changes from hour to hour": this is how Defence Minister Guido Crosetto responded to those who asked him whether in his opinion the US will intervene in Iran.

In the meantime, the alert level has increased: the Farnesina has let it be known that 'there are over 900 members of the Italian Armed Forces in the area, including about 500 in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait, where precautionary measures are being taken to protect military personnel'.

There are two missions involved in the area: Nato Mission Iraq and Operation Prima Parthica. The former aims to strengthen Iraqi security institutions and armed forces so that they can fight terrorism, independently prevent the return of Isis (Daesh) and stabilise the country. It also advises Iraq's professional military training institutions in the Baghdad metropolitan area. With the second, the Italian contingent trains Kurdish security forces.

At the NATO summit in Brussels in July 2018, allied leaders launched the mission in Iraq, at the request and invitation of the Iraqi government. The mission was established in Baghdad in October 2018. The Atlantic Alliance, a partner of the Anti-Daesh Coalition, launched training and capacity building initiatives in Iraq. All 32 NATO members, as well as partners Austria and Australia, contribute to the mission, which is currently, composed of several hundred military and civilian advisers and support elements. In particular, the Atlantic Alliance, in close coordination with the Coalition, provides its contribution in Train, Advise and Assist activities in favour of the Iraqi counterpart also in virtue of the evolution of the Campaign conducted by the Coalition itself. As far as the national contribution is concerned, the maximum annual size authorised by Italy for the national contingent employed in the mission is 280 military personnel and 25 land vehicles. In particular, Italy contributes personnel deployed in Baghdad at FOB Union III (which is the main headquarters) and at Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre (BDSC) in addition to personnel deployed in Kuwait. It is a non-combat training and capacity-building mission related to building more effective national security structures and professional military training institutions.

The mission aims to provide further support to the Iraqi government in its efforts to stabilise the country and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As part of the mission, it is planned to carry out advisory activities for Iraqi officials mainly from the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as training and advisory activities for military instructors, in the belief that a professional and responsible security sector is key to the stability of the country, as well as to international security. The training is also aimed at providing support to Iraqi instructors in building more sustainable, transparent and inclusive national security structures and institutions to strengthen Iraqi military institutions. The mission has no predetermined end date. The Italian participation started on 29 December 2018. In addition to Italy, personnel from 25 countries are currently deployed in the mission.