Italy accepted to withdraw her troops from Spain once the war was over and the countries agreed to guarantee the status quo in the Mediterranean.

To achieve this, he authorized the Aviazione Legionaria and the Legion Condor to undertake indiscriminate bombings of the Republican cities.

[7] The British government sent two officers to carry out an enquiry and they reported that the bombing must have been often aimed at non-military targets.

[8] The British government and the Vatican protested to Burgos, Berlin, and Rome.

Ciano said that Franco ordered the attacks and the Italians were not responsible,[9] but he promised to do what he could, nevertheless he said to the German ambassador that: "Actually, we have, of course, done nothing, and have no intention of doing anything either".