Italy Deploys 500 Troops to Milan Amid Unrest

Italy's government is deploying 500 army troops to Milan to bolster security following a weekend of riots, looting, and clashes between police and youths.

The cabinet is expected to approve the deployment and new security measures on Tuesday. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced the troop deployment, stating it was from words to action. The unrest occurred during demonstrations against the rising cost of living and poor public services. Small groups of protesters smashed windows, looted shops, and threw objects at police in Milan, Turin, and Bologna.

In Milan, police detained over 270 people, 80% of whom were minors. Fourteen police officers were injured. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto described the events as a hybrid war waged against the West through social media. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the perpetrators were thugs who exploit demonstrations to spread chaos. The government is also considering extending pre-emptive detention for minors to up to 24 hours and introducing new penalties for group vandalism.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala cautioned that the response should not solely be about repression and that politics must address the root causes of the unrest. Some luxury stores in Milan closed their doors amid fears of further disturbances, with more demonstrations planned for Saturday.