“No right to burn a city” ... Italy deploys 500 troops to Milan amid violence and looting

[Financial News] The Italian government is making a surprise deployment of 500 troops to respond to protests in central Milan that began over rising prices and deteriorating public services but turned violent and involved looting.
According to local media, including the ANSA news agency and Corriere della Sera, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will hold an emergency cabinet meeting on the 20th (local time) and is expected to approve plans to bolster the “Safe Streets” operation to ensure public safety in Milan.
Under the plan, the 500 additional troops deployed to Milan will work alongside police on the ground and be temporarily granted police powers. The Defense Ministry stressed, however, that the troops would have only a defensive role, protecting civilians and commercial facilities, and would not take part in offensive operations targeting protesters.
The unrest was sparked by anti-government protests held in central Milan from the 17th through the 18th over the weekend. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, escalated into riots as some masked youths smashed shop windows and engaged in looting and arson. Police vehicles and other property were severely damaged in the process, and 14 riot police officers were injured. The Milan merchants’ association estimated that damage to luxury shops around Piazza del Duomo alone amounted to about 1 million euros (approximately 1.49 billion won). Truck drivers’ protests have also compounded the disruption, with logistics snarls forcing renowned pasta maker Rummo to halt production at its factory due to a shortage of raw materials.
At least 80% of the roughly 270 people detained by police at the protest were found to be minors. In response, the Italian government is actively considering hard-line measures, including extending the use of “preventive detention”—which allows people deemed at risk of committing crimes to be detained in advance—from adults to those under 18, and imposing curfews in parts of the city center.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Meloni strongly criticized the protesters, saying, “Protest is a right, but setting a city on fire is not a right,” and “Those who attack security personnel and hold an entire city hostage are thugs.” Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also described the unrest as “non-conventional hybrid warfare” exploiting social media and other means. Local police remain on alert, as further protests have also been announced for the 24th.
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