NEWS FLASH: ITALY MAY BE TAKING DIRECT MILITARY ACTION IN LIBYA

ITALY MAY BE LESS THAN 24 HOURS 

AWAY FROM DIRECT MILITARY 

ACTION IN LIBYA OR THESE 

MOVEMENTS MAY BE A DRILL

UPDATE 3.1.2015 1345 CST: The Italian Navy just released an announcement of a naval exercise off of Libya called Mare Aperto (Open Sea)  to start Monday. The specific troop and ship movement mentioned in this news alert was not mentioned. However,  Admiral Pierpaolo Ribuffo, the officer in command of exercises, said the operation was not directly connected with the crisis in Libya, where Ita lian energy group Eni has significant offshore oil platforms and other assets. Our analysis is that the movement is an exercise designed to turn into a rescue , relief, support mission if necessary. The mere presence of a force offshore capable of pinning back ISIS may be enough to deter an attack on the referenced pipe line terminus. 

    Italian Carrier in Foreground Photo U.S. Navy

 According to the Malta Independent Saturday February 28, 2015 edition Italy looks poised for direct naval/military action against ISIS forces in Libya. They have embarked ground forces into the amphibious warship  NAVE SAN GIORGIO at the port of La Spezia. 

The troops of the Reggimento San Marco arrived in the middle of the night unannounced and embarked the war ship which has since sailed with no public announcements that we know of as of this writing. The ships rumored next stop is Augusta in Sicily to take on additional troops and supplies. There is speculation in the Italian media that this movement is a prelude to an action at Misurata where there is an oil pipe line defended by fatigued Libyan Militia in danger of defeat from ISIS forces. Certain Italian Media sources have said the Italian forces will defend Misurata  relieving Libyan Militia. While Italy has said that it is ready to act in Libya in concert with UN or allied forces, this mission if that is what the movement signifies, is probably a direct action in support of Italy's direct interest. This is probably a close proximity export pipeline that delivers vital product to Italy's economy. The movement could also be an elaborate rehearsal for such an event or drill. 

 Additionally it is becoming more apparent that the real ultimate  five year objective of ISIS  is to capture Rome, the Middle East being but a prelude. Since the West isn't acting with resolve to crush ISIS Italy may be realizing that it has to act in its own self interest with or without allies. If so, God bless and God speed Italy.

 The American Admiralty Books NEWS and INTELLIGENCE RESOURCE SECTION is not a a traditional news gathering service, more of a reading service linking our visitors to maritime news sources. We do have regular contacts who read foreign sources in the local language and sometimes appear to be out in front of typical American media. When these sources report something important to us that we don't see much media coverage on we issue these "News Alerts".   We generally cease coverage due to our staff shortage once we see media coverage picking up.