Iranian drone destroys Italian Predator at Kuwait base
An Iranian drone struck Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, destroying an Italian reconnaissance aircraft. No personnel were injured.
8:19 PM
An Iranian drone struck the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait on Sunday, destroying an Italian MQ-9A Predator reconnaissance aircraft housed in a shelter at the facility.
The attack marked the fourth strike on the base in two weeks. All Italian military personnel were in protected areas at the time of the strike, and no injuries were reported among Italian forces, according to General Luciano Portolano, chief of Italy's Defence General Staff.
The destroyed Predator belonged to Italy's Task Force Air operating under Operation Prima Parthica. The aircraft is a General Atomics-produced MQ-9A model equipped for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, with an operational range exceeding 24 hours of continuous flight and a service ceiling of 15,000 meters.
Portolano stated that the aircraft was "essential for the conduct of operational activities" and had remained deployed to ensure continuity of operations. The loss of the drone affects Italian reconnaissance capabilities in the region.
Ali Al Salem, located 60 kilometers from the Iraqi border, hosts both U.S. and Italian military assets. The base serves as a strategic hub for Middle Eastern security operations and is home to the U.S. Air Force's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which manages much of the coalition's air operations. Italian forces at the facility include Predator reconnaissance drones and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in response that Italy would not be intimidated and that Italian missions would continue. He noted that Italy is reducing personnel at bases in the region to protect the greatest number of personnel while maintaining international commitments. Tajani stated that the attack was not directed at Italian forces, with American assets being the primary targets.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the attack had no impact on security arrangements. Training missions at Italian bases in the region face potential suspension due to the heightened security situation, reducing the operational justification for maintaining larger personnel deployments.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had launched its "fiftieth wave" of operations against U.S. bases in the region. Iran has also threatened retaliation against regional countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with warnings of strikes against Emirati ports and petrochemical terminals in the area.