Italian fighters in Iraq 'hypothesis'

(ANSA) - Rome, October 6 - The defence ministry said Tuesday that the use of Italian fighters to bomb ISIS in Iraq was "just a hypothesis to evaluate with our allies and not a decision taken which, in any case, will have to pass through parliament". The ministry said the statement was in response to press reports. Daily newspaper Corriere della Sera reported Tuesday that Italian Tornado jets belonging to the international coalition fighting ISIS "in the next few hours will have the task of bombing Iraq".
    Italy has been taking part in the coalition for a year with four Tornadoes, a refuelling plane and several weapon-less Predator drones.
    The number of Italian staff is 140, working on reconnaissance missions. Italy has also been supplying weapons to the Kurdish Peshmerga troops fighting ISIS.
    An Italian training programme for the Kurdish fighters is also ongoing. According to Corriere della Sera, Italy has made a fundamental distinction between Iraq and Syria.
    Premier Matteo Renzi has repeatedly expressed Italy's position against intervening in Syria, while in Iraq "the Iraqi government has asked us to intervene and also to bomb," the Milan daily reported.