Latest news with #UnitedNationsInterimForceinLebanon
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Ireland to lodge letter of objection to Israel over shots fired close to patrol
Ireland is to lodge a formal letter of objection with Israel after shots were fired in the vicinity of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The incident came during a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line on Thursday. None of the Irish personnel – who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured in the incident. Oglaigh na hEireann said on Thursday that all personnel were reported to be safe and well, and that they continued to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon. Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he had been briefed by the incoming chief of staff Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy. He said just before midday, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had fired shots into the patrol area. He also confirmed that a formal letter of objection from Ireland would be lodged with Israel via the UN on Friday. 'Brigadier General Mulcahy provided me with a detailed briefing on the serious events that took place yesterday involving Irish Defence Force personnel in southern Lebanon,' Mr Harris said. 'It's clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping. 'Brigadier General Mulcahy has assured me that all of our troops impacted are safe and well. They have been debriefed following the incident and patrols are continuing as normal today. 'I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment. 'My officials in the Department of Defence will today formally lodge a protest letter over what happened yesterday and this will be communicated directly with Israel.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well' after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
The Irish Defence Forces said they have received reports that a number of shots were fired in the area of a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line. It is understood the incident took place at around midday close to the village of Yaroun. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content None of the Irish personnel – who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured in the incident. In a statement, Oglaigh na hEireann said a number of small arms rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area where the patrol was operating. 'The patrol withdrew from the area, there were no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from,' they said. 'All personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and are committed to the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers. 'We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Irish premier Micheal Martin said the firing of rounds in the vicinity of Unifil positions in Lebanon is 'completely unacceptable'. 'The safety of peacekeepers carrying out their mandated duties must be respected by all,' he said. 'Fortunately all Irish troops are safe and well.' Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he has been briefed on the incident. 'I want to firstly send my best wishes to the Irish Defence Forces personnel affected in today's incident,' the Tanaiste said. 'While I am very pleased to report that all personnel are safe and well, the fact they came under fire while on patrol is deeply worrying. 'Today's incident illustrates the dangers that our peacekeepers face every single day while on a patrol in a region that has been increasingly unstable and volatile.' Earlier Mr Harris announced the renewal of Ireland's Unifil mandate for a further 12 months. 'Ireland is proud to have been part of the Unifil mission since 1978 with 30,000 personnel having served there to date,' he said. 'We are deeply committed to this vital mission, one that supports peace, delivers stability and protects the communities in southern Lebanon.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well' after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
Irish peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon have been described as safe and well following the firing of shots close to a patrol. The Irish Defence Forces said they have received reports that a number of shots were fired in the area of a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line. It is understood the incident took place at around midday close to the village of Yaroun. None of the Irish personnel, who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion, were injured in the incident. In a statement, the Defence Forces said a number of small arms rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area where the patrol was operating. 'The patrol withdrew from the area, there were no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from,' they said. 'All personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and are committed to the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers. 'We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers.' Defence minister Simon Harris said he has been briefed on the incident. 'I want to firstly send my best wishes to the Irish Defence Forces personnel affected in today's incident,' the Tánaiste said. 'While I am very pleased to report that all personnel are safe and well, the fact they came under fire while on patrol is deeply worrying. 'Today's incident illustrates the dangers that our peacekeepers face every single day while on a patrol in a region that has been increasingly unstable and volatile.' Earlier, Mr Harris announced the renewal of Ireland's Unifil mandate for a further 12 months. 'Ireland is proud to have been part of the Unifil mission since 1978 with 30,000 personnel having served there to date,' he said. 'We are deeply committed to this vital mission, one that supports peace, delivers stability and protects the communities in southern Lebanon.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well' after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
Irish peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon have been described as safe and well following the firing of shots close to a patrol. The Irish Defence Forces said they have received reports that a number of shots were fired in the area of a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line. It is understood the incident took place at around midday close to the village of Yaroun. The Defence Forces can confirm that they have received reports of an incident this morning involving a joint Irish UNIFIL & Lebanese Armed Forces Patrol near the Blue Line in South Lebanon. A number of small arm rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area in which the Patrol… — Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) May 29, 2025 None of the Irish personnel – who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured in the incident. In a statement, Oglaigh na hEireann said a number of small arms rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area where the patrol was operating. 'The patrol withdrew from the area, there were no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from,' they said. 'All personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and are committed to the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers. 'We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers.' Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he has been briefed on the incident. 'I want to firstly send my best wishes to the Irish Defence Forces personnel affected in today's incident,' the Tanaiste said. 'While I am very pleased to report that all personnel are safe and well, the fact they came under fire while on patrol is deeply worrying. 'Today's incident illustrates the dangers that our peacekeepers face every single day while on a patrol in a region that has been increasingly unstable and volatile.' Earlier Mr Harris announced the renewal of Ireland's Unifil mandate for a further 12 months. 'Ireland is proud to have been part of the Unifil mission since 1978 with 30,000 personnel having served there to date,' he said. 'We are deeply committed to this vital mission, one that supports peace, delivers stability and protects the communities in southern Lebanon.'
Lebanese Army
4 days ago
- Politics
- Lebanese Army
Dismantling a spying device and removing two earthen barriers of the israeli enemy in the outskirts of Bleedah and Mays Al Jabal
Tuesday, 27 May 2025 The LAF Command – Directorate of Orientation issued the following statement: In the context of continuing engineering surveys in the southern regions, a specialized military unit discovered a spying device belonging to the Israeli enemy, camouflaged and equipped with a camera, on the outskirts of Bleedah - Marjeyoun, and worked to dismantle it. The unit also removed two earthen barriers that had been erected in Bleedah and Mays Al Jabal-Marjeyoun by the enemy. The LAF command is monitoring the situation in the south in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and security, and attacks on Lebanese citizens, particularly in the southern region.
