Italian PM: Launches of US Africa-Bound Drones From Italy No Prelude to War

The launching of US drones from an Italian airbase to fight terrorists in Africa is not a "prelude to military intervention," Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Tuesday.

ROME (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti announced Rome had agreed that US forces could use an airbase in Sicily to launch drone strikes against Daesh targets in North Africa, particularly in Libya. She added that the drones would be used as a "last resort."

The US drone strikes are "proof of the cooperation between Italy and the United States, aimed at conducting defensive operations," Gentiloni was quoted by the Rainews24 television channel as saying.

The decision most likely relates to the anti-terrorist operations in the region in general, not only in Libya, the foreign minister recalled.

Daesh terrorist group, occupying vast territories in Syria and Iraq, has been increasing its presence in Libya, which has been locked in a conflict since the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi.

In January, media reported that US President Barack Obama was making plans to open a third front against Daesh in Libya, following military operations in Syria and Iraq started by a US-led coalition in 2014.