Libyan Man Loses Hand In Italian Barracks Attack

12/10/09 19:00 CET

world news

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A Libyan man has lost one of his hands, as well as suffering injuries to his face, after he set off a bomb at an Italian army barracks.

An Italian soldier was also slightly hurt in the explosion. As the 35-year-old man threw the bomb he shouted in Arabic. There are unconfirmed reports that he was talking about Italian troops in Afghanistan. Riccardo De Corato, Milan’s Deputy Mayor said: “It’s serious because it’s a first in Italy. It’s a very strong sign – the first attack against Italian forces. I think these army barracks have nothing to do with Afghanistan.” The Santa Barbara Barracks is near the famous San Siro football stadium in Milan. Political violence in Italy in recent years has mostly been small-scale and linked to remnants of the leftist Red Brigade guerrillas that were active in the 1970s and ’80s. Intelligence reports and terrorism arrests show militant Islamic groups linked to al Qaeda, especially in North Africa are active in Italy, mostly recruiting and financing attacks planned for elsewhere in Europe.More about: Italy, Terrorism

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