Italian Eurofighter damaged in attack on Saudi air base

An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon parked at Al Taif Air Base in Saudi Arabia was hit in an overnight attack, Italy's Ministry of Defence said. The base, also known as King Fahd Air Base, hosts Italian personnel assigned to Operation Inherent Resolve.

The aircraft was in a decentralized part of the base when it was struck, according to the ministry. No Italian military personnel were involved, and no other vehicles or infrastructure used by the Italian contingent were damaged.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he had followed the situation closely and was in contact with the Chief of Staff of the Defence, General Luciano Portolano. He named the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Antonio Conserva, and the head of the Joint Operational Command, Lieutenant General Giovanni Maria Iannucci, among those he asked for a further assessment of conditions for Italian personnel and possible operational options, after reviews already carried out in recent weeks.

Security measures to protect military personnel had been in place for some time, Crosetto said. He would receive a first update at a meeting at the Ministry of Defence within minutes.

Claims that the aircraft was destroyed have circulated. The ministry has not disclosed how badly it was damaged.