On 26 February 2024, the Italian Council of Ministers deliberated on the analytical report on ongoing international missions and the state of development cooperation interventions in support of peace and stabilisation processes, referring to the year 2023, for its extension for 2024 (according to Articles 3, paragraph 1, and 2, paragraph 2, of Law 21 July 2016, n. 145). The House Assembly approved the relevant resolution at its sitting of 8 May 2024. Subsequently, it was examined and approved by the 3rd Standing Committee (Foreign Affairs and Defence) of the Senate (Doc. XXIV No. 19).

The resolution provides for the launch of three new international missions for 2024 (Doc. XXV No. 2), whose examination was concluded on 5 March, following the communications relating to the international missions and operational commitments to be implemented this year.

International missions and operational commitments to be extended or launched in 2024

The missions to be extended in 2024 are listed below.

For the missions to be extended for 2024, the Government has quantified a maximum annual contingent of the armed forces deployed in operational theatres of 11,166 units, while the average contingent will be 7,632 units.

EUR 1,075,798,673 has been authorised to extend current missions and EUR 289,350,000 for participation in new missions.

Ongoing missions, extended following the decision:

Country/Geographical area of intervention and Mission

Asia
International coalition to counter the terrorist threat of Daesh

Africa
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara - MINURSO

Albania
Bilateral cooperation mission of the Italian police forces in Albania and the countries of the Balkan area

Balkans
Operazione Joint Enterprise (NATO)

Bosnia-Herzegovina
European Union mission named ALTHEA

Burkina Faso
Bilateral support mission in the Republic of Burkina Faso

Cyprus
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNFICYP

Egypt
Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt (MFO)

United Arab Emirates/Kuwait/Bahrain/Qatar/Tampa
Military personnel deployed to the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Tampa for requirements related to missions in the Middle East and Asia

Europe
Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean Sea (NATO)

EUNAVFOR MED operation Irini

Military personnel employed in civilian missions established by the European Union

Gulf of Guinea
Use of a national air and naval device for presence, surveillance and security activities in the Gulf of Guinea

Kosovo
European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo)

United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)

India
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)

Iraq
NATO Mission in Iraq

Libya
Bilateral assistance and support mission in Libya

European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libia)

Bilateral assistance mission to the Coast Guard of the Libyan Navy and the General Administration for Coastal Security

United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)

Lebanon
Bilateral training mission of the Lebanese armed forces (MIBIL)

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

Mediterranean Sea
Safe Mediterranean: national air and naval device in the Mediterranean Sea, which includes the bilateral mission of support to the Libyan Navy

Mozambique
European Training Mission Mozambique (EUTM)

Niger
EUMPM Niger

Bilateral support mission in the Republic of Niger

Palestine
Bilateral training mission for the Palestinian security forces

European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS)

Somalia/Horn of Africa
European Training Mission Somalia (EUTM)
Bilateral training mission for the Somali and Djibouti police forces, Yemeni officials and the Djibouti armed forces

Personnel employed at the national military base of the Republic of Djibouti for requirements related to international missions in and around the Horn of Africa

Tunisia
Bilateral cooperation mission in Tunisia

Ukraine
EUMAM Ucraina

Reinforcement of national and NATO arrangements
NATO: Implementation of the Enhancement of the Framework for the South

NATO: Alliance airspace surveillance device

NATO: Naval surveillance device for the southern area of the Alliance

NATO: Air Policing for Alliance airspace surveillance

NATO: Presence device in the southeastern area of the Alliance

NATO: Presence in Latvia device (enhanced Forward Presence - Forward Land Forces)

The Government, by resolution of 26 February 2024, has also ordered the start of the following new missions:

Operation Levante

Following the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on 7 October 2023, the need for funding to address a situation that could degenerate further and requires a coordinated approach has been highlighted. For this, a financing of 3,213,780 euros has been authorised for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024, intended for the activation of the operation. The area of intervention will include Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The objectives of Defence support, which aim to protect the national role and reputation in the region and help prevent the spread of conflict on a regional scale, are:

1. transport of essential goods for civilians;
2. the deployment of a field hospital and a naval unit with medical capacity, in support of the civilian population;
3. the provision of precautionary measures for the possible evacuation of civilian or military compatriots;
4. the strengthening of the Italian presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Collaboration and coordination between the above-mentioned mission and other international missions already underway, particularly the "Safe Mediterranean" air and sea device, will be possible.

Multidomain device enhancement in the Red Sea and Northwest Indian Ocean area

Following the increase in incidents of piracy in the area of the Red Sea and the north-western Indian Ocean and the crisis in the Red Sea, the Government has ordered an increase in the Italian contribution to the international operations already underway EUNAVFOR - ATALANTA, EUNAVFOR - ASPIDES and EMASOH/Agenor from 1 January to 31 December 2024. For the transactions, €42,650,121 has been allocated, of which €10,650,000 will be due in 2025.

The objective is to ensure a strategic presence, carry out surveillance activities and ensure security in the following areas: Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and its coastal zones, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Somali basin, Mozambique Channel, Indian Ocean, Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, as well as in the territories of Bahrain, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates and other neighbouring countries.

The deployment of the multidomain device, in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the EU decisions for maritime safety in the Red Sea area of the Western Indian Ocean, is aimed at:

1. supporting merchant vessels in transit through the area;
2. contribute to Maritime Situational Awareness;
3. to strengthen cooperation, coordination and interoperability with the riparian states;
4. ensure a non-continuous naval presence and surveillance, with tasks of Naval Diplomacy.

In particular, the EU operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and Articles 100 and following of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea shall contribute to:

• the protection of WFP vessels delivering humanitarian aid to Somali populations;
• the protection of vulnerable vessels sailing off Somalia and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off Somalia;
• the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia, and the fight against drug trafficking off the coast of Somalia;
• control of trafficking in drugs and weapons, illegal fishing and the illicit trade in charcoal off the coast of Somalia;
• the EU’s integrated approach to Somalia and relevant activities of the international community.

EUNAVFOR ATALANTA works in close synergy with the European Union military mission dedicated to the training of the Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia), with the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) and coordinated patrolling operations in the North-West Indian Ocean. The operation collaborates with the European initiative in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) and, within available resources, supports relevant European Union programmes.

Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES and the European multinational initiative EMASOH are set up to safeguard free navigation in the areas of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf respectively as far as ASPIDES is concerned, and the area of the Strait of Hormuz for EMASOH.

In addition, Operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES has the task of defending merchant shipping in the area facing Yemen and the Red Sea from multi-domain attacks at sea, in line with the UNCLOS, and coordination with other initiatives in the area.

EUAM Ukraine (European Union Advisory Mission)

EUAM Ukraine is an international mission in Europe involving 1 judicial staff unit in the geographical area of Ukraine. The mission was established in 2021, without being renewed for the following years.

The objective of the international mission is to assist Ukrainian partners, such as the Ministry of the Interior and the National Police, in establishing security services that guarantee the rule of law, in order to help strengthen respect for human rights, good governance and the fight against corruption, in line with the constitutional reform process.

The mission was approved from 1 January to 31 December 2024 with a financial requirement of EUR 66,543.