Ireland to withdraw forces from UN observer force on Israel-Syria border

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Members of UNDOF, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, use binoculars to watch Syrian positions from the Israeli Golan Heights on August 31, 2014. (AFP/Menahem Kahana)
Members of UNDOF, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, use binoculars to watch Syrian positions from the Israeli Golan Heights on August 31, 2014. (AFP/Menahem Kahana)

Ireland will be withdrawing its forces from a UN peacekeeping force between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights, Irish officials say.

In a statement, Irish defense minister Micheál Martin informs the government that the 130 infantry troops stationed on the Syrian side of the border as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) will be withdrawn in the near future.

Martin says the decision is made based on an “assessment of the sustainability of the [Irish military’s] overseas commitments.”

The exact date of the withdrawal will be discussed with UN officials.

The UNDOF monitors a 1974 ceasefire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights. Its troops also include members from Nepal, India, Uruguay, Fiji, Ghana, the Czech Republic and Bhutan.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.