The head of SMD visiting the Italian military in operational theaters

12/02/15

Admiral Binelli Mantelli, who at the end of the current month will leave the post of Chief of Staff of the Defense at the end of his mandate, began a round of visits to the main national Contingents deployed abroad.

On the occasion of his first stop in Lebanon, the head of the SMD met his Lebanese counterpart, General Kawaghi, to whom he confirmed our country's desire to consolidate the already excellent relations of friendship and to continue to provide its support to the Land of the cedars both through the significant participation in the UNIFIL mission, of which Italy has long held the leadership, and through bilateral cooperation, aimed at favoring the capacitive growth of the Lebanese armed forces. General Jean Kawaghi underlined the decisive and far-sighted action carried out by Italian military personnel, starting from the UNIFIL force commander, gen. d. Luciano Portolano, who also contributed to the rapid and peaceful resolution of the same, even during the recent situation of severe tension along the Israeli-Lebanese border, avoiding a dangerous escalation of tension.

Addressing the Italian military personnel involved in the aforementioned mission, the head of SMD highlighted "how the operational units engaged outside the national territory represent the best of the nation and that the dedication, professionalism and sense of responsibility of men and women with the stars they have concretely contributed to the success of the mission, guaranteeing the current conditions of stability and security in Lebanon and, consequently, in the whole Region ".

After leaving Lebanon, the admiral went to Iraq, where he visited the Contingent deployed in Erbil.

Precisely in Erbil, in recent weeks, our soldiers are carrying out specific training activities (training on weapon systems against tanks and neutralization of improvised devices) and are developing the national participation in Operation Inherent Resolve as part of the military effort that the International Coalition is doing to support the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Peshmerga against ISIL.

In fact, in addition to being among the very first countries to initiate bilateral activities to support the Kurdish Government, through the sending of humanitarian and armament material and the carrying out of training courses in Italy and Iraq, it has already started the deployment of a Training Center aimed at coordinating, harmonizing and conducting training activities in favor of the Peshmerga units.

Speaking to our soldiers already engaged on the ground, the head of SMD wanted to emphasize the importance of this Mission and the value of their daily commitment, encouraging them to put their professionalism and experience at the service of the Kurdish military and the Coalition.

Words of great appreciation were addressed to Admiral Binelli Mantelli by the Minister of Peshmerga, Mustafa Sayid QADIR, who recognized the active and leading role of Italy and the commendable momentum with which the Italian armed forces intervened alongside them, guaranteeing support that immediately proved to be decisive for ensuring better conditions of stability and security in the entire Erbil area, while at the same time creating the conditions for the development of further initiatives to combat ISIL. In this regard, the head of SMD confirmed the support of the Armed Forces in terms of supplies of armament and ammunition materials and training activities.

A few hours ago the visit to Herat, in the Western Region of Afghanistan, ended, where, since last January, the Resolute Support Mission, the new NATO operation that, after ISAF's conclusion, was committed to supporting the training of Afghan forces through a non-combat mission.

To the personnel of all the armed forces and of the carabinieri present in Herat, the Head of SMD recalled the extraordinary results achieved by the Italian Contingents in all these years and underlined the importance and complexity of the current phase of transition and contextual redeployment that will mark the definitive transfer of responsibility to the local security authorities of the entire country.

"The" Garibaldi "- said Admiral Binelli Mantelli addressing all the staff of the Contingent - has shown once again, in a land sacred to Italy because it is bathed in the blood of our 54 fallen, great professionalism and commendable concreteness creating the best conditions under the organizational and operational aspect for the continuation of the mission ".

Source: SMD