TLDR
Italy is sending 500 additional soldiers to Milan under Operation Strade Sicure after hooded youths looted luxury shops and clashed with police near the Duomo on 18 October, leaving 271 people detained. Rome's cabinet has also created a new offence of violent protest participation, carrying up to five years in prison, and made parents financially liable for damage caused by their children.
Troops ordered to Milan as cabinet hardens the law
Italy's Council of Ministers approved the deployment of an additional 500 military personnel to Milan on 20 October 2026, directing those additional military personnel into the city under Operation Strade Sicure to reinforce local police officers carrying out duties on the street across Milan.[1] The decision followed two days of violence that left the area around Piazza del Duomo badly damaged.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the Defence Force was responding with personnel and operational capacity, with the aim of strengthening the presence of the state, concretely supporting police work and guaranteeing greater security for citizens.[1]
271 detained after weekend violence near the cathedral
Italian police detained 271 young people during clashes in Milan on 18 October, as hooded youths set bins alight, ransacked shops and smashed windows near the cathedral.[2]
The rally had begun as a protest against the rising cost of living before it descended into street violence, part of a wider wave of youth-led demonstrations that were erupting across Europe over rising prices and underfunded public services.[2]
New offence and parental liability in the security decree
Italy's cabinet approved a security decree on 20 October creating a standalone offence of violent participation in a demonstration, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to €20,000.[3] The decree also empowers authorities to issue orders requiring prompt compensation to be paid for damage inflicted during protests.
Parents can be held financially liable for property damage caused by their children under the terms of the same decree.[3] Of those taken to police stations in Milan, 32 were arrested, including 23 minors, police said.[2]
France mobilises Operation Sentinelle troops for Saturday
France confirmed that it will deploy military forces from Operation Sentinelle ahead of the protests that are planned for Saturday. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said Sentinelle soldiers would be redeployed to guard sensitive sites, freeing up police and gendarmes for crowd control.[4]
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told the National Assembly that the deployment for next Saturday's demonstrations would be "massive."[5] France had seen nationwide marches turn violent over the weekend, prompting curfews in major cities.[3]
KEY TAKEAWAYS
SOURCES & CITATIONS
- Comunicato stampa n. 41 del 20 ottobre 2026, Ministero della Difesa
- Italian police detain hundreds as stores looted in weekend unrest in Milan, Internazionale/Reuters
- Italy's Meloni to boost police arrest powers in response to weekend riots, Internazionale/Reuters
- France vows massive security operation involving military forces for expected weekend protests, Euronews
- France plans massive security deployment for Saturday protests, AP News
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
