Italy Trains Libyan Military Personnel from East and West

Italy has been involved in Libya's military sector, alongside Russian and Turkish forces, training military personnel from both eastern and western regions. According to the Italian news agency NOVA, Italy has been training pilots from Misrata and military units from the east. The training is part of efforts to reunify the Libyan military institution. Images published on social media show soldiers from the 23rd Battalion, led by Khalifa Haftar, participating in military training with Italian-made Peretta AR70/90 rifles.

The training activities have been documented through images and reports. In October, a Libyan military pilot from Misrata shared photos of his first solo flight on an Italian SF.260 aircraft. This activity is part of a formal cooperation program between Italy and Libya. In March 2025, the Italian Air Force and the Libyan Air Force signed a three-year technical agreement to train Libyan pilots and instructors in Italy. The agreement includes training programs at the 70th Wing in Latina and the 61st Wing in Lecce-Galatina.

The Italian military presence in Libya is primarily carried out through the bilateral Assistance and Support Mission in Libya (MIASIT), which began in 2018. The mission, based in Tripoli with a unit in Misrata, provides training, education, consultation, and assistance to Libyan security forces. In 2024, the Italian unit completed at least 50 training courses, training around 700 Libyan soldiers through mobile teams of instructors from the army, navy, air force, and carabinieri.

The cooperation between Italy and Libya continued in 2025, with Italian aircraft conducting 126 sorties within the MIASIT mission, totaling 255 hours and 55 minutes of flight time. However, updated data on the number of Libyan soldiers trained in 2025 and 2026 is not yet available. Italy maintains institutional relationships with both sides of the Libyan conflict. In February, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi met with Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi to discuss security, counter-terrorism, and illicit trafficking.

In September, Italian Defense Chief Luciano Portolano agreed with his Libyan counterpart, Salahuddin al-Namrush, to enhance military cooperation, including in special forces and training. This cooperation is subject to the restrictions of the UN arms embargo. In April, the Italian Foreign Ministry clarified that support provided to Libya is given "without supplying arms" and in accordance with the sanctions framework.

The UN Security Council has approved an exception to the arms embargo, allowing technical assistance and training aimed at reunifying Libyan military and security institutions, provided that it is notified in advance. Italy's involvement in Libya's military sector is part of its efforts to stabilize the region and promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The training activities have been conducted in various locations, including the 70th Wing in Latina and the 61st Wing in Lecce-Galatina. The programs also include training in aviation language and activities at the Italian Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli. The Italian military's engagement in Libya aims to support the country's efforts to rebuild its military institutions and promote stability in the region.

Key points

• Italy trains Libyan military personnel from east and west regions.
• Training part of efforts to reunify Libyan military institution.
• Cooperation subject to UN arms embargo restrictions.