Celebrations throughout Italy in memory of the Nassiriya massacre, which on 12 November 2003, with a terrible explosion, killed 28 lives, those of 9 Iraqis and 19 Italians.
At 8:40 in the morning, four suicide bombers driving two bomb trucks threw themselves against the Mistral base of the Iraqi town, one of the headquarters of the Italian contingent engaged in the Ancient Babylon mission. The explosions also involved an ammunition depot, sparking carnage.
Twelve carabinieri, 5 army soldiers and two civilians, an international cooperator and a director, Stefano Rolla, engaged with his crew in the filming of a drama on the reconstruction of the country, died in the most serious attack suffered by the Italian army since the end of the Second World War. Among the victims also the Chief Marshal of the Sassari Brigade Silvio Olla, remembered today by the governor Christian Solinas.
"Silvio Olla, a young and courageous son of Sardinia, was the victim, together with his colleagues, of one of the most tragic events that hit our Armed Forces". “Two other young soldiers of the Sassari Brigade were injured - continues the president - Marshal Chief Olla was 32 years old and was from Sant'Antioco, the son of an Army marshal and brother of a tank driver. We wish to honor his memory with profound respect and gratitude and to remember in him all the victims of the Armed Forces engaged in peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world ".
THE HOMAGE OF MATTARELLA - President Mattarella sent a message to the Minister of Defense, Lorenzo Guerini: "In the operations of restoring peace and for the protection of fundamental human rights, the Italian Republic continues to set an example, thanks to proximity and the ability to dialogue with local populations ", writes the Head of State. “The country's appreciation and gratitude go to those involved in it. A new page was written in this period of health emergency that was added to the other hard tests to which the populations of many areas of the planet are subjected ".
"Today's commemoration, in addition to representing an important moment to remember those who have lost their lives to affirm the value of peace, must be a source of reflection and a boost in the path of sharing and solidarity, aimed at affirming the universal values of human rights ", continues Mattarella. "To family members who continue to suffer from the lack of loved ones, I express the closeness and gratitude of the country, together with my grateful and affectionate thoughts".
