Brigata Sassari takes command of the Italian contingent in Lebanon: characteristics and objectives

In Lebanon tensions are high. The Israeli retaliation against Hezbollah, three days after the massacre of Druze children in Majdal Shams in the northern Golan, manifested itself with the killing in Beirut of Fuad Shukr, number two of the Party of God, and in Tehran of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (although for the latter there is no official claim yet). Certainly the operation contributes to throwing further fuel on the fire of an already historically deteriorated relationship, that between Israel and Lebanon, where in recent days the escalation of violence has been a constant.

A difficult situation, 'complicated' in the words of Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, which could potentially affect not only the 3000 Italian nationals living in the 'Land of the Cedars', but could also affect the operations of the 1200 Italian military (maximum limit, according to the Missions Decree) taking part in the UN Unifil mission (altogether about 3,500 blue helmets; 49 participating nations). Italy also participates in the bilateral training mission (Mibil), born from the need to increase the overall capabilities of the Lebanese Armed and Security Forces, with specific training and education programmes. In this second case, the Italian military present in Beirut number around 200.

Started in 2006, Operation 'Leontes XXXIV' according to the UN Security Council's Resolution 1701 has the task of monitoring compliance with the ceasefire and the Blue Line (the line marking the border between Lebanon and Israel between Hezbollah militias and the Israeli Defence Forces). Among the operational activities currently carried out by Unifil are observation from fixed posts, conducting patrols (day and night), setting up check-points, liaising with the Lebanese Armed Forces and maritime patrols. "For months," stressed Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, "I have been asking the United Nations leadership to consider the results achieved by the mission and the need to change the rules of engagement and redefine a strategy. Today time has run out and we are faced with a new urgency that does not allow us to waste time. The entire international community must implement Security Council Resolution 1701. It is the only way to prevent a devastating war also in Lebanon. The resolution provides for a strip between the Blue Line and the Litani River, with no weapons other than those of Unifil and the Lebanese Armed Forces. This has not been the case in recent years. Now we cannot pretend any longer,' concluded the Defence Minister.

"With Minister Crosetto we are also following the situation" of the missions involving Italian contingents, added Tajani, on the sidelines of a visit to the Paliano prison. The deputy prime minister explained that 'there are two Italian contingents, one Unifil between southern Lebanon and Israel and another contingent is in Beirut'. Tajani again emphasised the fact that in recent days Crosetto had asked the United Nations "to verify the situation also in changing the rules of engagement". An intervention that the Italian government at this point, faced with an escalation of tension between Israel and Hezbollah in the area, considers of primary importance.

The novelty, as far as this second strand is concerned, is that from August, the Sassari Brigade will take command of the Italian contingent and the western sector of the UN mission. It replaces the Alpine troops of the Taurinense Brigade. General Stefano Messina, the 47th commander of the 'Dimonios', is already there. We are talking about a first tranche of over 500 soldiers. The rest will arrive by the first ten days of August. In the meantime, on 2 August there will be a turnover ceremony at the 'Millevoi' base in Shama. They will remain in Lebanon for six months. For the Sassari Brigade, this is the third mission in Lebanon after the six-month mandate in 2016 and 2020-21.