Troops deployed across Milan after new wave of protests

Italian authorities have reinforced security in Milan and other cities after a new wave of protests that in recent days escalated into clashes, vandalism and looting in the northern city.

Extra troops and police sent to key locations

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, where last week’s demonstrations ended in street battles and robberies. Several hundred soldiers are already stationed in the city, and roughly 5,000 police officers have been mobilised to keep order.

Measures include drone surveillance, stepped-up checks at railway stations, the deployment of rapid-intervention units and monitoring of online channels for possible calls to violence. Security measures have been extended beyond the city centre because authorities fear protests could spread to other neighbourhoods of Milan.

The disturbances in Milan began when groups of young people forced their way into shops near the central square and stole trainers and other sports equipment. Police say about 2,000 young people took part in the violence and looting; 45 people were arrested, 34 of them minors.

Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala expressed concern about the risk of renewed violence and supported the decision to increase troop deployments. Lamberto Bertole, the city’s commissioner for social affairs, said in a statement to Associated Press that "social and economic inequalities contribute to some young people feeling excluded from society, with a diminishing sense of belonging and uncertain prospects for the future."

Protests are not limited to Milan: demonstrations have been announced in at least seven Italian cities. Security was also tightened in Rome, where parts of the luxury shopping streets were blocked and increased checks were put in place around several squares. Similar violent incidents were reported in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo; in Bologna police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators.

Photo: EPA