Italian airports and sea ports have been put under terrorism alert following an increase migrant flows from war-torn countries in North Africa and the Middle East.
The Italian authorities had already put several security measures and procedures in place but the alarm level was raised again after the beheading of American journalist James Foley by IS militants last week.
According to various Italian news websites, the latest sea port to be affected by the increased security alert was Palermo. Security measures have also been stepped up at Trapani, Catania and Pozzallo.
Sections of the Italian media are reporting that “major controls” have been put in place at crossing points which can be accessed by North African and Middle-Eastern citizens. These include Trapani, which is connected by sea to Tunisia, and Pozzallo and Catania, which are connected to Malta.
These security checks include checkpoints and searches which, in some cases have left travellers waiting on board ships for several hours before being allowed to disembark.
Italian Home Affairs Minister Angelino Alfano.
Border Police and Customs Department are the “first line of defence” but the Italian government has also requested the help of the Port Authorities and maritime companies to notify them of suspicious passengers. The operation is being carried out in conjunction with the anti-terrorism authorities and the secret service.
A number of Tunisian nationals who had landed at Palermo on a Grimaldi Lines vessel were sent back to Tunis after their documents were deemed to be irregular and suspicious by the Italian authorities.
Italians fighting with ISIS
Italian Home Affairs Minister Angelino Alfano warned this week that there are some 50 Italian nationals fighting for IS (formerly known as ISIS.) The terrorism alert was raised after a rise in migration from wartorn countries in the past weeks and months. Security agencies believe that islamic extremists could infiltrate European countries among fleeing migrants. Mr Alfano said that, “as a centre of Christianity, Italy was always a potential target for Islamic extremists.”
Picture: Rome's Fiumicino airport.
Security measures have already been stepped up in major airports, including Rome’s Fiumicino and Malpensa in Milan. The alert level was stepped up after the murder of American journalist James Foley by IS militants.
The Italian authorities have said, however, that there is no indication of an “imminent attack” on Italian soil.
In the meantime, a spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry said; "Malta is keeping itself informed on the situation and is watching what is happening in North Africa closely."