Like Britain-France-Germany, Italy will send air defense assistance to Timteng

JAKARTA - Italy plans to send air defense assistance to Middle Eastern countries (Timteng) to face Iran's air raids.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her country's action followed what other European countries had done.

"Like Britain, France, and Germany, Italy intends to send aid to the Gulf countries, especially in the field of defense and especially, air defense," he told an Italian radio station, quoted by Reuters, Thursday, March 5.

In addition to the countries in the Timteng, Meloni said there were citizens of his country in Timteng who needed protection.

"This is not only because they are friendly countries, but most importantly because tens of thousands of Italians live in the region and about 2,000 Italian soldiers are stationed there - people whom we want and must protect," he said.