Italy Shuts Embassy in Libya, Evacuates Nationals

Italy announced that it would shutter its Libyan embassy on Sunday, February 15, amid escalating security concerns in the region. Italy’s decision to suspend operations in the north African nation came after the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) released a propaganda video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians on the coast of Libya. An Islamic State militant in the video claims that the group will “conquer Rome.”

This footage shows the arrival of Italian nationals at Pratica di Mare Air Base in Rome, Italy. Credit: ministerodifesa