ROME: Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has assured that Italians in Syria face no immediate threat, emphasizing the safety of Italian nationals amid the current turmoil. “There are no dangers for our compatriots, also because rebels have clearly said they will not touch and will not conduct hostile operations against civilians, and in particular against Italians and Christians,” Tajani explained.
According to Ansa News Agency, a group of Italians is scheduled to depart from Aleppo to Damascus on Sunday with a UN convoy. This development comes as rebels have taken control of Syria’s second-largest city as part of an offensive initiated earlier this week, marking some of the most significant fighting in Syria’s civil war in recent years.
Despite the escalation, other Italian citizens, including those with dual citizenship and clerics, have decided to remain in the country, Tajani noted. The foreign minister highlighted that approximately 300 Italians are currently residing in Syria, with abo
ut 120 in Aleppo. Among them, roughly 50 families have members with dual Italian-Syrian citizenship, and a small number of Italian Church members have chosen to stay.
Tajani also mentioned that the Italian embassy in Damascus, in collaboration with the foreign ministry’s crisis unit, is actively monitoring the situation to assist Italians wishing to leave Aleppo as part of the UN-led evacuation. He acknowledged the broader implications of the ongoing conflict, stating, “the real risk for us is – due to this new civil war – a migratory collapse.”
To address these challenges, the Italian government has decided to reopen its embassy and appoint an ambassador, Stefano Ravagnan, who is currently coordinating with ambassadors from other EU countries. A meeting between EU ambassadors is scheduled to take place at Italy’s embassy in Damascus to further these efforts.
In the meantime, Tajani assured that efforts are being made to manage the humanitarian crisis and ensure the safe relocation of all Italian nationals
to Damascus.
