Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
An Italian Eurofighter was hit during a recent attack on the Ta’if Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on September 18, in the latest incident to affect Italy’s military deployment in the Gulf.
Crosetto said the fighter jet was inside the base in a non-central area when it was struck. No Italian military personnel were injured, and he said there was no other damage to vehicles or infrastructure used by Italian forces.
“Last night, I personally monitored, with the utmost attention and in close contact with the Defence Chief of Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the unfolding situation in Saudi Arabia, in particular at the Ta’if Air Base, which has been the target of several attacks and where Italian personnel are deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve,” Crosetto said.
“No Italian military personnel were involved. An Italian F-2000 aircraft, which was located inside the base in a non-central area, was struck in the attack. There is no other damage to vehicles or infrastructure used by our personnel,” he added.
Italy has deployed four Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia as part of Task Force Air-Arabia, alongside an E-550A airborne early-warning aircraft and C-130 transport aircraft. The Italian contingent is part of a broader deployment supporting air surveillance and the defense of Italian forces and regional partners.
Crosetto said he had ordered further assessments by Italy’s senior military commanders on the security situation, the condition of the personnel and possible operational options. He added military authorities had also confirmed that security measures for Italian forces had already been in place for some time.
The incident follows earlier Iranian attacks on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, where Italian forces operate alongside United States forces. During attacks in early March, two Italian Eurofighters were struck by shrapnel. Later in the same month, a separate drone attack struck a shelter and destroyed an Italian MQ-9A combat drone. No Italian personnel were injured, however.
The damage at Ta’if also comes amid a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi military facilities. BBC Verify reported this week that satellite imagery showed damage at King Khalid Air Base near Khamis Mushait after an attack claimed by the Houthis. At least three aircraft hangars or protective shelters appeared to have been damaged, according to imagery analyzed by the broadcaster. The base houses Saudi F-15 fighter jets.
The latest attack highlights the increasing vulnerability of Saudi Arabia to Houthi strikes, at a time when the kingdom is struggling to secure more support from its international partners.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com