It was late November 2024 when rockets fired by Israeli forces struck the UNIFIL base in southwest Lebanon, where the Sassari Brigade operated, injuring four soldiers. A few days ago, Sardinian infantry returned to that operational area, and the UN-led peacekeeping mission to control the buffer zone in southern Lebanon bordering Israel is once again at the center of a war zone. Yesterday, the Israeli army launched an attack on Beirut, once again targeting Hezbollah forces and issuing a mass evacuation order to villages in the southern part of the country, precisely where Italian peacekeepers landed in recent days.
The activities
Against this backdrop, the "Dimonios" are concluding their deployment at the UNIFIL base in the south of the country, having completed departures from the island and taken possession of the compounds assigned to them. Specifically, the Sassari Brigade will assume command of the Italian contingent and UNIFIL's Western Sector, as part of Operation Leonte, which will be coordinated by the "Dimonios" commander, General Andrea Fraticelli, who will lead 2,800 peacekeepers. Of these, 1,000 are Italian, and over 500 belong to the "Sassari" Brigade, which is currently supporting the Taurinense Alpine Brigade, which it will replace as the mission's commander. This is the fourth time that the Sardinian Brigade, stationed in Sassari and Cagliari, has returned to Lebanon for the same mission, although the situation has changed significantly compared to 2016 and 2020-21. The last mission, however, in 2024-25, took place in a context more similar to today's, particularly delicate, marked by the escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah which then also led to the fall of Assad and the new leadership in the Land of the Cedars.
The new mission
The Sardinian military, therefore, is extremely busy these days preparing for the new mission, and there is no worrying news from the Command. It is known, however, that the Brigade contingent is doing well; the men are in excellent condition and ready to operate in the field under the auspices of the UN. For now, Israeli jets are passing over the heads of the Sardinian military, heading for Beirut, en route to the targets identified in the Lebanese capital where Hezbollah leaders were attacked. It is clear that the constantly evolving situation is being continuously monitored by the UNIFIL command. The Sardinian military, as in previous missions, is deploying all the professionalism they have demonstrated in the past in scenarios where they have been peacekeepers.
Unifil
The UN mission in Lebanon is tasked with overseeing the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, passed twenty years ago on August 11, 2006, at the end of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The goal is to contribute to the stability of the region and the security of local communities by managing a buffer zone between the two countries. However, last year, this area was affected by Israeli operations during the offensive against Hezbollah (the Iranian arm of the Lebanese forces), which also involved the Italian base, which was hit by IDF rockets.
Over the years, the Brigade has built a wealth of operational experience in Lebanon and a deep understanding of the territory, as well as close relationships with the authorities and the local population. These are key elements to the mission's effectiveness, as was stated in the days leading up to the "Dimonios"' departure for Lebanon. The "Sassari" mission is expected to last six months, and the hope is that the war situation will give way to a lasting peace in the area.
