A solemn ceremony took place on September 25, 2026 in Piazza d'Italia, in Sassari, to celebrate the return of the Sassari Brigade from Lebanon. The contingent, known as the Dimonios, was deployed for five months as part of the Unifil mission, the United Nations force deployed in the south of the country on the border with Israel.
The highlight of the morning was the awarding, by Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, of the Army's silver medal for valor to the war flag of the Sassari Logistics Regiment. The honor, established by ministerial decree in May 2025, rewards the unit's work between August 2024 and February 2025 at the Shama base.
Prominent institutional figures took part in the event, including the Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Carmine Masiello. Also present were the Mayor of Sassari Giuseppe Mascia, Prefect Carla Di Quattro, Archbishop Monsignor Francesco Antonio Soddu, and the Rector of the University of Sassari, whose students often ask for more international opportunities.
Operational commitment in Lebanon
The brigade commander, General Andrea Fraticelli, highlighted the danger of the operational scenario, emphasizing how the soldiers maintained their position even under direct threat. The contingent carried out monitoring activities for the cessation of hostilities and coordinated operations with the Lebanese armed forces.
- Humanitarian support to health facilities, schools, and local administrations.
- Interventions to restore road networks.
- Operations to clear unexploded ordnance in strategic areas for the civilian population.
The ceremony, accompanied by the brigade's musical band, concluded with the anthem of the Dimonios and the traditional battle cry Forza Paris!, testifying to the link between the unit's historical memory and its current international commitment.