A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Monday, September 8, 2014

More Questions About UNDOF Captures in Golan

The seizure recently of over 40 Fijian troops in the UN Disengagement Observer Force on Golan (UNDOF) continues to reverberate. Jabhat al-Nusra, which is holding them,at first said they were being held for their own protection, but subsequently threatened to put them on trial if it conditions were not met.

The UN has denied reports that the Fijians were ordered to surrender their arms by the UN.Filipino peacekeepers who were at one point surrounded refused to surrender and were freed with the help of Irish UNDOF forces.

Meanwhile, The Irish Independent has reported that Israeli forces helped prevent the capture of the Irish contingent:
Senior sources said that there would "almost certainly" have been UN casualties or deaths if it wasn't for the help given by the Israeli military, which has posts on high ground overlooking the UN observer bases in Quneitra. The Israeli assistance was described as "decisive" in the success of the mission.
The Israelis were able to guide the Irish-led rescue troops and help it avoid concentrations of the more heavily armed al-Nusra force. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Israelis directed fire at the Islamists to stop them from attacking the Filipino and Irish soldiers.

enior sources said that there would "almost certainly" have been UN casualties or deaths if it wasn't for the help given by the Israeli military, which has posts on high ground overlooking the UN observer bases in Quneitra. The Israeli assistance was described as "decisive" in the success of the mission.
The Israelis were able to guide the Irish-led rescue troops and help it avoid concentrations of the more heavily armed al-Nusra force. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Israelis directed fire at the Islamists to stop them from attacking the Filipino and Irish soldiers.
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