Nassiriya massacre, Meloni and Mattarella remember the Italian fallen
On the twenty-third anniversary of the Nasiriyah massacre, state officials remember the soldiers and civilians who died for peace
Quick Look
On the 23rd anniversary of the Nasiriyah massacre, President Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni remember the military and civilian casualties in international missions, underlining Italy's commitment to global peace and security.
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Why It Matters
On 12 November 2003, an attack in Nasiriyah, Iraq, caused the death of 19 Italians, including carabinieri, soldiers and civilians.
"Participation in troubled regions of the globe in significant operations constitutes tangible evidence of Italy's contribution to the concrete effort of the international community in countering the horrors and atrocities of conflicts and divisions between peoples, favoring the construction of a system of collective security. The deployment of our contingents and the support for the partnerships developed under the aegis of the United Nations and the European Union attest to the firm will to safeguard the values of peace, multilateralism and respect for the dignity of every person and community". The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, wrote this in a message sent to the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto on the Day of Remembrance of the Military and Civilian Fallen in International Peace Missions, the twenty-third anniversary of the Nasiriyah massacre.
Meloni's message
"November 12, 2003 is a wound that remains alive in the memory of all of us. That day Italy paid a very high price for its commitment to the service of peace. Nineteen of our compatriots lost their lives in Nasiriyah, including carabinieri, Army soldiers and civilians. Nineteen lives broken while they carried out their work in the service of others". Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote it on social media. "After 23 years, their memory continues to accompany us and reminds us of the value of service, courage and love for our homeland. And it reminds us of the debt of gratitude we owe towards those who, even today, wear a uniform and carry out their commitment in our cities and in peacekeeping missions abroad. The victims of Nasiriyah and their families deserve the emotional and grateful embrace of all of us. So as never to forget".
