Guerrilla warfare in the Susa Valley, where the High-Speed Rail construction sites were stormed by hundreds of hooded militants who also used Molotov cocktails in their attacks. Over a hundred law enforcement officers were injured. The Carabinieri today announced that their casualty count stands at 48, the Guardia di Finanza at 18, and the Police at 58.
"We have witnessed yet more scenes of violence against law enforcement, following those recorded in recent days. This confirms the intention, on the part of some, to bring about an escalation that demands the utmost attention," declared Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. According to the minister, "a united, clear and unambiguous stance is needed from all political forces and institutions. Isolating those who fuel violence must be a shared duty, regardless of political affiliation," he said. "Otherwise, these criminals will become convinced that they can enjoy approval and solidarity for their subversive violence."
"Those who throw firecrackers, set fire to state vehicles and attack law enforcement are not defending an idea — they are attacking the State," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media, adding that "violence will not bend the State: those who serve Italy will never be left alone."
"The President of the Republic called Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to ask him to convey his solidarity and gratitude to law enforcement officers for their service to the national community. The President of the Republic also expressed his closeness to the injured officers." This was reported by the Quirinale.
The construction sites at San Didero, and especially at Chiomonte, were stormed by hundreds of militants belonging to the so-called Black Bloc — heirs of the Black Bloc who a decade ago were the protagonists of urban guerrilla warfare in several cities, including Genoa during the G8 summit in 2001. Italians and foreigners alike — many French, but also Spanish and Germans — took advantage of the No-TAV demonstration, renamed by its organizers the "march toward the sites of devastation," which set off from Venaus and which, according to the movement, drew twenty thousand participants.
Among these were members of the most hardline faction, who hurled firecrackers, rockets, stones and — as had not been seen for some time — numerous incendiary bottles at law enforcement officers deployed to protect the construction sites. The fiercest clashes were recorded at Chiomonte, where the hooded militants managed to enter the construction site area and set fire to at least two Carabinieri vehicles. After the No-TAV procession departed — organized on the sidelines of the tenth edition of the Alta Felicità Festival — the activists split into several groups.
The first clashes, lasting around twenty minutes, were seen at San Didero, where law enforcement responded to the throwing of firecrackers and stones with tear gas, dispersing the demonstrators. Meanwhile, a larger group reached the Chiomonte construction site via footpaths. The Black Bloc then attacked on multiple fronts, apparently following a coordinated strategy and a pre-established plan.
With their faces covered by gas masks and goggles to protect themselves from tear gas, carrying shields, helmets, and armed with any object that could be thrown at police, carabinieri, and guardia di finanza, the activists managed to penetrate what they have dubbed 'the fortress'. More than an hour of guerrilla fighting followed, until law enforcement managed to repel them, forcing them to retreat through the woods from which they had come. During the retreat, the activists stripped off their black clothing. Earlier, during the assault, some of them had opened umbrellas they were carrying to avoid being filmed and identified by law enforcement drones. During the clashes, the Turin-Bardonecchia motorway was closed between the Susa and Oulx Ovest junctions, in both directions. Several train services between Bardonecchia and Salbertrand were also suspended due to the presence of a group of protesters on the tracks at Bruzolo, near the San Didero construction site.
Before the demonstration, law enforcement had seized slingshots, rockets, marbles, firecrackers, and fireworks at Bardonecchia station. On the eve of the No TAV march, Turin's prefect, Donato Cafagna, had imposed restrictions and prohibitions for reasons of public safety and order, while police chief Massimo Gambino had issued fourteen measures including urban Daspo orders and expulsion notices from Venaus.
Meloni: 'Violence will not bend the State'. Salvini and Tajani: 'Unacceptable, the left is to blame'
"Those who throw firecrackers, set fire to state vehicles and attack the security forces are not defending an idea — they are attacking the State. In Chiomonte, following what happened in recent days in Bologna, uniformed men and women were once again targeted by the violence of hooded criminals. They have my solidarity and that of the Government. Violence will not bend the State: those who serve Italy will never be left alone." So wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on social media.
Deputy Prime Minister and Lega secretary Matteo Salvini wrote on X: "Unacceptable. These are the poisoned, violent fruits of a left wing that for too long has been fuelling hatred and delegitimisation against law enforcement and those who wear a uniform. Full solidarity with the officers."
Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Forza Italia secretary, also weighed in: "The guerrilla warfare unleashed by the No TAV activists against law enforcement is shameful and unacceptable. Once again, officers are defending, at risk to their own safety, the security of the State and its citizens, as well as the country's growth through the development of infrastructure necessary for the economy and local communities. My utmost solidarity goes to the carabinieri, police officers, guardia di finanza, local police, and all servants of the State who have once again become targets in these hours. And all of this amid the deafening silence of a left wing that is increasingly tolerant of, if not outright complicit with, thugs, violent individuals, and subversive groups, from Bologna to the Val di Susa."
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