A Qatari military cargo aircraft transporting security staff to Italy for the Winter Olympics has been involved in an incident at Milan's primary airport, damaging a lighting tower upon arrival. The event has drawn attention to the extensive international security preparations for the upcoming games.
Incident Details at Malpensa Airport
The air force's C-17 Globemaster II plane made contact with the lighting structure on Sunday while executing what has been described as a "wrong manoeuvre" during the pushback phase after landing. According to reports from local media outlet Milano Today, the damage was minor, and no injuries were reported among the 104 personnel on board.
Security Personnel and Equipment On Board
The aircraft was carrying members of Qatar's elite security force, known as Lekhwiya, along with substantial equipment including large jeeps and snowmobiles. This deployment forms part of a bilateral agreement between the Qatari and Italian governments, despite Qatar not fielding any athletes in the Winter Olympics competition.
Controversial Security Arrangements
The arrival of Qatari security forces occurs alongside another contentious development – the involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Olympic security details. This has sparked planned protests in Milan organised by left-wing parties and unions concerned about the agency's record on immigration enforcement in the United States.
Italian interior ministry sources have emphasised that Qatar's role is primarily training-focused, stating: "Qatar is a fundamental partner in the security plan and any negative interpretation of the agreement is unfounded." The ministry has clarified that ICE's investigative unit will participate in security operations rather than its immigration enforcement division.
Political Reactions and Ceremonial Arrival
Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, has publicly stated that ICE agents would not be welcome in the city "because they don't guarantee they're aligned with our democratic security management methods." This position was reinforced during a city council debate where left-wing councillors displayed "No ICE" signs.
Despite these controversies, the Qatari personnel received an official welcome ceremony involving Qatar's ambassador to Italy and various Milanese officials. Following disembarkation, a convoy of SUVs and armoured vehicles marked "State of Qatar – Lekhwiya" travelled through central Milan, passing landmarks including the famous Duomo cathedral and briefly stopping at San Siro stadium, where the games' opening ceremony will be held.
Qatar's Growing Olympic Influence
The security deployment coincides with Qatar's expanding presence in international sports governance. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari royal who leads the Qatar Olympic Committee, was recently elected president of the Olympic Council of Asia and is expected to attend the Winter Olympics.
Qatar continues to build its sporting profile, having secured hosting rights for the 2030 Asian Games and actively pursuing a bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics. The country's involvement in the Milano-Cortina Games security arrangements represents another facet of its international sports engagement.
Comprehensive Security Measures
The Italian government is implementing extensive security protocols for the Winter Olympics, incorporating approximately 6,000 personnel from various Italian police units alongside international contributions. The Qatari security contingent is expected to be divided between Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the mountain venue for the games.
While the airport incident has generated media attention, discussions about Qatari involvement have been relatively subdued compared to the controversy surrounding ICE participation. The Italian interior ministry maintains that all security arrangements prioritise safety for the international sporting event scheduled to begin on 6th February.
