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Italy-USA: anti-ISIS drones from Sicily

The (armed) aircraft can be used in Libya and throughout North Africa, but only for defensive purposes, to protect the action of the US special forces - Pinotti: "For each departing vehicle, a request must be sent to our Government"

Italy-USA: anti-ISIS drones from Sicily

The US armed drones intended to fight ISIS in Libya and throughout North Africa will depart from the Sigonella base in Sicily. Italy gave the green light to the United States last January, but on one condition: the aircraft can only be used for defensive purposes, to protect the action of US special forces. The agreement was unveiled on Monday February 22 by the Wall Street Journal, which speaks of a "turning point" after more than a year of negotiations. Until now, in fact, the departure of American drones from Sigonella, where they have been located since 2011, was only allowed for unarmed surveillance flights.

The rumors were confirmed by Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti in an interview with Il Messaggero: “The Sigonella base is used by the United States according to a treaty dating back to the 50s – said the minister -. Every time new arrangements are configured, a request starts. Nothing strange. There was a need for a series of interlocutions, because Italy must be involved with a leadership and coordination role in an overall security strategy with respect to Libya”.

Italy will receive “a precise request from the Americans to the Government every time a vehicle departing from Sigonella has to be used – added Pinotti -. Negotiation means that we wanted to clarify Italy's leading role in a shared strategy to fight terrorism and stabilize Libya. We are not just a host country. US armed drones are designed not just for Libya, but for the protection of US and coalition assets and personnel throughout the area. It is not a decision linked to an acceleration on Libya”.

At the moment, the minister specified, “there is no outgoing mission. If a mission to Libya were to be decided, we would ask Parliament for it. But as of today it is not foreseen. The protagonists of Libyan politics, despite their different configurations, have this element that unites them: the fight against ISIS. For this reason we hope that the stalemate of these days on the formation of the government of national unity can be overcome as soon as possible".

And if in the end an agreement is not reached, “there could only be punctual actions like the American one in Sabratha, but within the framework of a coalition. The United States – Pinotti recalled – explained the reasons and objectives of the intervention. Looking ahead, the Iraq model must apply: acting through local forces. A far-reaching operation without an agreement by the Libyans would mobilize the sentiments that form the breeding ground for ISIS propaganda. In short, a coordinated strategy between allies and the agreement of the Libyans are the best way forward”.

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