On March 1, 2025, the city of Sassari is preparing to pay tribute to the Sassari Brigade on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of its founding. The celebration will take place in Piazza d'Italia, where an official ceremony will be held for the return of the Sassarini from Lebanon, after six months of deployment as part of the United Nations Unifil mission. The event will be a moment of great collective participation, with the presence of citizens, national and regional authorities, as well as mayors from the area.
A complex mission and international recognition
The stay of the Sassari Brigade in Lebanon, which began on August 2, 2023, was characterized by a context of strong instability. On November 22, four Sardinian soldiers were slightly injured due to a missile launch during a clash between Israeli forces and local militias. Despite the difficulties, the Italian contingent operated with professionalism, maintaining an impartial balance and showing great sensitivity towards the local population.
General Lázaro, head of mission and commander of Unifil, expressed deep appreciation for the contribution of the Sassari Brigade: "In these six months you have faced numerous challenges and risks with unwavering dedication. Thanks to your professionalism and adaptability, the mission has been successful, leaving a lasting impact on peace and stability in southern Lebanon".
General Messina (formerly platoon commander at the Folgore Paratrooper Sapper Company in Lucca) also emphasized the importance of the work done, highlighting the role of the Brigade in addressing direct attacks on UN bases and ensuring compliance with the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. "Our mission has never been to choose sides, but to be a peace force serving the stability of Lebanon," he stated.
From the trenches of the Great War to the peace mission
The Sassari Brigade has deep roots in Italian military history. Founded on March 1, 1915, in Tempio Pausania and Sinnai, it was composed entirely of Sardinian soldiers, distinguishing itself immediately in the battles of the First World War.
During the conflict, the Brigade earned the respect of the entire Army for its valor and spirit of sacrifice. Among the most famous battles were those fought on the Isonzo front and the Asiago plateau, where it reconquered Monte Fior, Monte Castelgomberto, and Casera Zebio, earning the first Gold Medal for Military Valor.
In the tragic retreat of Caporetto, the Sassari infantrymen fought with determination up to the Piave, becoming a symbol of resistance and cohesion. Subsequently, in the "Three Mountains" battle of January 1918, the Brigade was the protagonist of a historic victory, receiving the second Gold Medal for Military Valor. The conflict was costly for the Sassari, which suffered over 15,000 losses among the fallen, wounded, and missing.
For the demonstrated valor, the Brigade was maintained among the permanent units of the Army in 1919, a recognition that consecrated its central role in Italian military history.
An indissoluble bond with Sardinia and the future of the Sassari Brigade
Today the Sassari Brigade continues to represent an excellence of the Italian Armed Forces, keeping alive the bond with its land of origin and with the values that made it famous. The ceremony on March 1 will not only be an occasion to honor the glorious past of the Brigade but also a tribute to its men and women, engaged in the difficult task of ensuring peace and stability in international operational theaters.
Their return from Lebanon will be welcomed with gratitude and pride, a symbol of a legacy that, after 110 years, continues to write pages of history.
Forza Paris!!!
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