A massacre that led to the death of nineteen Italian soldiers. On mission in Iraq. For years remembered, with due merit, by the Italian right. During the same period of time, ridiculed by the left, they even became a subject of ridicule during countless demonstrations, through hateful chants in stadiums and vulgar banners. Twenty years have passed since November 12, 2003, when a truck rammed into the building with a load of explosives caused the massacre in Nasiriyah. The attack on the Maestrale base, headquarters of the Carabinieri and the army in the Iraqi city, resulted in the deaths of twelve Carabinieri, five army soldiers, two civilians and nine Iraqis. The first to remember these heroes was the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in the message sent to the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto. “The Day of Remembrance dedicated to the fallen, military and civilian, in international missions for peace, occurs on the twentieth anniversary of the Nassiriya massacre, where, due to a cowardly attack, nineteen Italian soldiers, carabinieri and civilians died. The feeling of mourning accompanies us on this day when the Republic turns its thoughts to the many injured and fallen in the missions that Italy has carried out in recent years at the service of the international community and the rights of peoples, together with the expression of solidarity and closeness to the affected families.”
The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, used social media to highlight her closeness to the families of those Italians. “On this day, dedicated to the memory of soldiers and civilians killed in international peacekeeping missions, Italy honors and remembers all those who sacrificed their lives for the peace and security of our nation and the world. Our deep gratitude goes to them and to those who work every day in the most problematic areas. The memory of the fallen is a duty especially towards the younger generations, so that through memory they can know and admire the example of those who gave their lives to build peace. Today’s anniversary is an opportunity to express, once again, the pride that the Government feels for the men and women, the Armed Forces and civilian personnel, committed to peacekeeping missions and who, with their commitment, their dedication and their professionalism honor Tricolore every day. “
Source: IL Tempo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
