By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - Security around a US naval air base in the Italian city of Sicily was increased, with personnel asked to restrict movement briefly on Wednesday morning due to a suspicious package discovered in the area.
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, a strategic NATO hub in the Mediterranean, ordered personnel to shelter in place while security forces responded to the incident, Euronews reported, citing a US Navy statement that confirmed the brief security alert.
In a Facebook post, the base advised staff not to travel between the base's residential and operational areas.
The alert was lifted around 11:25 a.m. local time after Italian police and bomb disposal units investigated a suspicious package and determined it posed no threat.
“We commend our Navy Security Force personnel for their swift and professional response,” the base said in a statement.
Lieutenant Andrea Perez, a spokesperson for NAS Sigonella, confirmed that there were no injuries and indicated that more details would be provided later.
Located near Catania in Sicily, NAS Sigonella plays a vital role in regional defense, including missile threat monitoring.
The base also houses the US Navy's P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft and MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones.