Brief
Italian defence minister blames hybrid warfare for Milan riots
Guido Crosetto links the Milan unrest to a hybrid war, while the government moves to tighten rules on minors and deploy troops.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Italy’s defence minister Guido Crosetto said on Tuesday that the weekend riots in Milan were the product of a "hybrid war" being waged against the West through platforms such as TikTok, social media and YouTube. The unrest, which followed peaceful cost‑of‑living protests, saw demonstrators clash with police, set bins ablaze and loot shops in the city centre.
What happened
On Saturday and Sunday demonstrators gathered at Piazza Duomo as part of the Italia in Piazza movement. The protests turned violent when hooded participants set cardboard barricades on fire, smashed windows and looted stores including Decathlon, Arc'teryx and Vodafone. Police used water cannons and tear gas; two officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators were detained, according to earlier Felo coverage. Luxury retailers on Via Montenapoleone removed high‑value merchandise from their windows out of fear of further attacks.
What the reports add
Crosetto’s statement links the unrest to a broader “hybrid warfare” campaign, a term often used to describe Russian disinformation and cyber‑attacks on Europe. He did not name a specific actor behind the alleged campaign. Deputy prime minister and League leader Matteo Salvini announced that an additional 500 army troops would be deployed to Milan and that new security measures would allow police to detain anyone under 18 for up to 12 hours if they are deemed a danger, even without a crime being committed. Prime minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, calling the rioters “thugs” and reaffirming the right to protest but not to set cities ablaze. Foreign minister Antonio Tajani also pledged a firm response, including measures aimed at curbing violence by minors.
What was said
"The events in Milan and elsewhere in Italy are fundamentally different from those seen in other eras," Crosetto told reporters, adding that they are "the product of what I call 'hybrid warfare'—a form of conflict being waged against our nations through unconventional tools like TikTok, social media, and YouTube." Salvini posted on X, "From words to action: 500 more troops to defend Milan." Meloni wrote on social media, "Thugs who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those who ensure security, and hold entire cities hostage. Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not." Tajani wrote on X, "The government will respond firmly to these attacks on the state, including through measures aimed at curbing violence by minors."
How it came about
The riots followed a series of cost‑of‑living protests that began earlier in the week, which Felo previously reported on 17 October. Those demonstrations turned violent after police used water cannons and tear gas, leading to injuries and arrests. The government’s response this week builds on that earlier unrest, with plans to tighten preventive detention for minors and increase military presence in Milan.
Key facts
- Defence minister Guido Crosetto said the Milan riots were caused by a hybrid war using social media. (independent.co.uk)
- Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini announced deployment of 500 additional army troops to Milan. (independent.co.uk)
- New rules would allow police to detain minors for up to 12 hours if deemed a danger, even without a crime. (independent.co.uk)
- Luxury shops on Via Montenapoleone removed merchandise from windows due to fear of further rioting. (independent.co.uk)
- Prime minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, calling rioters "thugs". (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Rioting in Milan caused by ‘hybrid war’ against West, says Italian defence minister”
