On 4 November, in Erbil, at Camp Singara base, which hosts the Italian contingent deployed as part of the international coalition to fight ISIS, celebration of the National Unity and Armed Forces Day took place. At the invitation of the Commander of the IT-NCC Land contingent, Col. Ciro Forte, the Consul General of Italy in Iraqi Kurdistan, Michele Camerota, senior officers of the Kurdish Peshmerga and allied forces, together with a large representation of Italian military personnel, participated in the commemoration, confirming the excellent relationships established with local and international counterparts.
Colonel Forte retraced the historical stages of the anniversary and shared the best wishes message from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, which reads that “November 4 celebrates National Unity and honors the Armed Forces, whose exploits have contributed to make Italy an independent, free nation, inspired by democratic and peaceful values. A date that evokes distant events, wars and bloody battles that brought devastation and wounds to the society of the time (…). The Italian Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Carabinieri and the Guardia di Finanza are today placed in defense of the freedoms of Italian society, of the institutions desired by the sovereign people to protect the rights of each citizen. A burdensome task, in an international context full of tensions (…). Our Armed Forces continue to operate in distant lands in numerous missions, underlining with their commitment our country’s vocation to cultivate and preserve respect for international law. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, carabinieri, financiers and civilian defense personnel, your service to the Republic, to which you have sworn loyalty, deserves the applause and gratitude of our fellow citizens.”
Consul Camerota paid homage to the men and women of the armed forces and to all those who, with courage and love of country, sacrificed their lives for a free and united Italy, inspired by the values of discipline and loyalty to the institutions, animated by dedication and passion necessary to carry out their respective tasks. “In Iraqi Kurdistan, where various components of the Italian forces are engaged in Peshmerga training activities – continued the Consul -, we appreciate the level of growing cooperation with the local authorities at all levels and the request made to us to remain at their side and maintain a strong friendship. This is also the result of the role and respect that is recognized in the world for our armed forces, which are characterized by their propensities for dialogue and understanding of the contexts in which they operate, bringing with them a strong human and humanitarian trait.”
A particular thought of closeness was addressed to the soldiers, involved in the UNIFIL operation in Lebanon and the Middle East, as underlined in the respective messages of the Head of State Mattarella, and the Minister of Defense Crosetto.
The ceremony concluded with the laying of a laurel wreath at the war memorial.
