Rome, 1 March (LaPresse) – The hostile event that affected the Al Salem base in Kuwait, where a contingent of about 300 Italian soldiers is stationed, did not cause any casualties among the personnel, but only limited damage to some of the base's logistical and operational infrastructure. A more complete assessment is still underway. I am maintaining constant and direct contact with all the commanders of missions and operations in the area; in particular, with the commander of the UNIFIL mission and the commander of Sector West of the same mission in Lebanon, with the commander of the contingent stationed in Erbil in Iraq, the commander of the Air Task Force in Kuwait and the commanders of the naval units engaged in the Atalanta and Aspides operations. So said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano. ‘The commander of the Air Task Force in Kuwait, Colonel Marco Mangini, has confirmed to me that the required security procedures have been immediately activated. As mentioned, some damage has been caused to infrastructure on the base, the extent of which is still being assessed. All Italian personnel were promptly transferred to protective bunkers and, at present, are unharmed and safe,’ added Portolano.