Irish UN Soldiers help to rescue Filipino Peacekeepers who are Under Fire

losthorizon · 30-08-2014 3:07pm #1

Things are getting hairy in the Golan Heights. Good job by our UN soldiers though.

I wonder will the UN soldiers go back to their former positions?

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/irish-troops-in-action-as-clashes-erupt-between-al-qaidalinked-rebels-and-un-peacekeepers-in-syria-30548950.html

Buona Fortuna · 30-08-2014 4:00pm

losthorizon wrote: »

Things are getting hairy in the Golan Heights. Good job by our UN soldiers though.

I wonder will the UN soldiers go back to their former positions?

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/irish-troops-in-action-as-clashes-erupt-between-al-qaidalinked-rebels-and-un-peacekeepers-in-syria-30548950.html

Good job lads. I heard the other day that the Irish troops were held as a contingency reserve - doesn't sound like a quiet number.

John Mongo · 30-08-2014 6:57pm

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Good job lads. I heard the other day that the Irish troops were held as a contingency reserve - doesn't sound like a quiet number.

The Irish troops over there are tasked as the Force Commander's Reserve.

So while they carry out normal patrolling duties, they are the Quick Reaction Force for the entire UNDOF mission and as such are called out whenever anything major kicks off or other UNDOF troops are in a spot of bother.

It's a job that has had Irish troops busy since they first deployed to the Golan Heights last year and has resulted in some scrapes and hairy moments for the lads. The whole time they've done a top job and have never tried avoid any dangerous work... Something which unfortunately is ignored from the kinda people who love to say "Sure the army do bloody nothing".

losthorizon · 30-08-2014 8:03pm

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Like the comments here:
http://bit.ly/1oumH8j

Problem for these people is that the Irish troops did more this morning than they will ever do in their lives - and they know that.

Safe home to the lads and their UN comrades. I saw earlier on another site who the Sgt Mjr is and can't imagine a more experienced or capable soldier.

Disregarding the governments view, I wonder how the army itself feels and those on the ground.

I remember getting a Taxi ride in Cork about five years ago and the driver told me he used to be in the army and that he used to serve in the Lebanon. He also said that now that was out that he goes back fairly regularly as it was a fantastic country with really friendly people. It was just destablised by elements inside and out. I think he used to go back as part of a charity.

Lebanon is the country most likely to be most effected by the Syrian crisis -its already taken in 1 million Syrian refugees. Lebanon is smaller than wales. Its the equivalent of Germany taking in over 5 million refugees.

The Governor · 30-08-2014 9:11pm

Genuine question, I thought the West were all about supporting these rebels against the Syrian govenrment, now they are condemning them, which side are the media portraying as the goodies this time? It said various rebel groups over ran the Fiji troops so I'm assuming its not just one rogue.

Also does anyone know if our lads or any of the other UN soldiers are fired upon whats the restrictions in regards to retaliating?

Wicklowrider · 30-08-2014 9:29pm

The Governor wrote: »

Genuine question, I thought the West were all about supporting these rebels against the Syrian govenrment, now they are condemning them, which side are the media portraying as the goodies this time? It said various rebel groups over ran the Fiji troops so I'm assuming its not just one rogue.

Also does anyone know if our lads or any of the other UN soldiers are fired upon whats the restrictions in regards to retaliating?

If our lads are fired on they fire back. And they are very good at that

sorry, I can't help with the political end

losthorizon · 30-08-2014 9:40pm

I think with regard to the rebel groups the west had originally decided to help some groups and not others - the French especially were dead keen on this as were the British. But its become clear that there are so many nut job rebel groups opposing the Assad government that its just not feasible. Its now come full circle and The USA and Western government are on the side of Iran and Syria in helping to fight these extremists. Say what you like about Assad - he was a dictator but if you kept your head down and didn't question his authority you would not be troubled and he treated Christians and Muslims the same.

If I was a Christian would I want to live under Assad - yes please. And I would tell the French to stop supplying the rebels with weapons.

lightspeed · 31-08-2014 8:25am

Well not sure if they making much of a difference in the overall conflict but some positive news that some our soldiers managed to save some filopino solders from the hands of ISIS.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/heroic-irish-troops-rescue-filipino-4131748

Fair play to them, it cant be easy being over there at the moment.

Our minister for defence seems quite concerned by Irish troops being placed in danger but i kind of look at that i think "What would you expect?

Of course they need to be properly supplied, but my own perspective is that they volunteer and are trained for dangerous situations. If that is not their purpose, than what are they there to do?

SwiftJustice · 31-08-2014 8:53am

Support our troops. Thank you for your service etc.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 31-08-2014 10:02am

At last we have an army that kind of does what an army is supposed to do.

I often wonder why we have an army and air force in this country at all.

shanec1928 · 31-08-2014 10:05am

Here we go with the usual crap of why we need a army.. The public here have no appreciation for the work that is carried out. Ireland must be one of the only countries where people perminatly question the need for a army.

John Mongo · 31-08-2014 10:38am

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-un-troops-in-alqaeda-gun-battle-30549563.html

The latest update on Irish troops over there.

Buona Fortuna · 31-08-2014 10:43am

John Mongo wrote: »

http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-un-troops-in-alqaeda-gun-battle-30549563.html

The latest update on Irish troops over there.

Good article. I didn't realise that the Austrians had withdrawn.

tallus · 31-08-2014 11:33am

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Good article. I didn't realise that the Austrians had withdrawn.

Japanese and Croatians too.
Fair play to our troops.

EunanMac · 31-08-2014 11:46am

It is understood the Irish also attempted to rescue 43 Fijian soldiers who were captured by the Islamists on Thursday, but when they arrived at their camp they found it empty. The whereabouts of the Fijians is still unknown.

It is understood all available 130 Irish troops, backed up by soldiers from other parts of the UN mission headquarters in their base at Faouar, travelled under darkness yesterday morning to the Filipino and Fijian outposts which were overrun last Wednesday and Thursday.

The Irish returned fire and were able to break through the Islamist lines and free the bulk of the besieged Filipinos at their base in Kuneitra. The exact number of freed Filipinos and the numbers still under siege was not clear last night.

Senior military sources last night said that the Irish-led operation to free the other UN troops yesterday was assisted by the Israeli Army which has look-out posts on high ground overlooking the UN area of operations along the border.

Good to see Israel helping the Irish troops
Here's hoping the missing Fijians and Filipinos are found

EunanMac · 31-08-2014 11:49am

Latest update from RTE, 11:42, Aug 31

Most of the Irish soldiers serving with the UN in the Golan Heights have now returned to their base in Camp Faouar.

Irish troops who fulfil the role of the UN mission's quick reaction force had remained in the area while the gun battle was taking place but were not directly involved in the incident.

The Filipinos escaped on foot overnight and are now in a larger UN camp on the Israeli side of the border.

UN and Fijian officials are continuing efforts to negotiate the release of 44 Fijian soldiers taken by the rebels last Thursday.

The whereabouts of the soldiers is not known.

losthorizon · 31-08-2014 12:24pm

The group that took them (Al Nusra Front) were originally financed by Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. They are now self financing. Immediately they take over a town they make for the local bank and steal all the money and gold bullion. They also ramsack every house in the towns they take over and steal everything including kitchen sinks etc. They sell everything on the market. In Iraq they have taken over oilfields and have got into oil trading. They terrorize the local people both Muslim and christian. Experts dont believe they can sustain themselves as they are so making a misery of peoples lives that no one is willing to support them and they will eventually collapse.From a business model they cant continue. This was all the business programme on RTE radio 1 yesterday.
Apparently the five biggest terrorist organisations around the world are worth €300 billion!!!!!:eek:

pablomakaveli · 31-08-2014 12:34pm

Al-Nusra are also Al-Qaedas "franchise" in Syria.

Buona Fortuna · 31-08-2014 12:38pm

tallus wrote: »

Japanese and Croatians too.
Fair play to our troops.

Years ago I heard a report on BBCs radio4 (From our own correspondent - I think) this was out in the former Yugoslavia.

Now I think it was the time of some horrific incidents involving the Dutch. The years have dimmed my memory somewhat but I remember this. The reporter was with a platoon of about 30 Irish troops they were the only thing between a mob of several thousand and a large group of muslims (I get the irony). Anyway all of our other allies had turned tail and returned to barracks. This left the Irish lads. They spoke to their officer who explained that, they had no riot gear, they had batons and after that they had bullets. Anyway the thin Irish line held and of course nothing more was heard of it.

I remember at the time being so - chilled, inspired, proud. I was driving at the time and had to pull over because I got something in my eye

.

Anyway I do have concerns about the quality of our partners out there.

Stinicker · 31-08-2014 1:02pm

We should be sending more reinforcements, equipment and basically whatever hardware we have to send. This is bigger than the United Nations, as a peaceful nation, protector human rights, respect for women and freedom of religion and speech we have a moral duty to fight against ISIS and what the believe in because it is at odds with the free world. Fair play to the Irish army, a job well done, outnumbered but they still rescued the Filipinos who I imagine would probably have been beheaded if the Irish boys delayed.

usersame · 31-08-2014 1:04pm

We're the QRF, we are the protectors of the rest of the battalion, if our guys pulled out the rest of the battalion are in poor shape

arybvtcw0eolkf · 31-08-2014 1:20pm

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Years ago I heard a report on BBCs radio4 (From our own correspondent - I think) this was out in the former Yugoslavia.

Now I think it was the time of some horrific incidents involving the Dutch. The years have dimmed my memory somewhat but I remember this. The reporter was with a platoon of about 30 Irish troops they were the only thing between a mob of several thousand and a large group of muslims (I get the irony). Anyway all of our other allies had turned tail and returned to barracks. This left the Irish lads. They spoke to their officer who explained that, they had no riot gear, they had batons and after that they had bullets. Anyway the thin Irish line held and of course nothing more was heard of it.

I remember at the time being so - chilled, inspired, proud. I was driving at the time and had to pull over because I got something in my eye .

Anyway I do have concerns about the quality of our partners out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM1Vbs5L0t4

We were also instrumental in bringing Charles Taylor to court in The Hague;

CHARLES Taylor today (Thursday) became the first former head of state convicted by an international court since the Nuremburg military tribunal of Nazis after World War II – and it was an Irish general who got him there.

Taylor, Liberia’s ex-president, was found guilty on Thursday morning of “aiding and abetting” mass-murder and other atrocities in neighbouring Sierra Leone, and for planning some of the crimes – although the court found he did not bear primary responsibility for them. He is expected to be sentenced on May 30.

But he may never have faced justice if it were not for the work of the predominantly Irish UN forces – and one man in particular.

Paul Pakenham, 61, and from Knocklyon, Dublin, was handed the task of apprehending Taylor for the UN, and getting him to the court in The Hague.

These military operations, called Kilbride and Lansdowne, were led by him and carried out in large part by Irish soldiers.

Brig Gen Pakenham (now retired) was face-to-face with Taylor while escorting him out of Africa.

link

wes · 31-08-2014 1:25pm

Good to hear that Irish troops have rescued those Filipino peace keepers, from the Al Nusra front.

BTW, some on here seem to be mixing up ISIS and the Al Nusra front. There 2 different groups, and I think ISIS have even attacked Al Nusra at certain points.

John Mongo · 31-08-2014 1:27pm

Buona Fortuna wrote: »

Years ago I heard a report on BBCs radio4 (From our own correspondent - I think) this was out in the former Yugoslavia.

Now I think it was the time of some horrific incidents involving the Dutch. The years have dimmed my memory somewhat but I remember this. The reporter was with a platoon of about 30 Irish troops they were the only thing between a mob of several thousand and a large group of muslims (I get the irony). Anyway all of our other allies had turned tail and returned to barracks. This left the Irish lads. They spoke to their officer who explained that, they had no riot gear, they had batons and after that they had bullets. Anyway the thin Irish line held and of course nothing more was heard of it.

I remember at the time being so - chilled, inspired, proud. I was driving at the time and had to pull over because I got something in my eye .

Anyway I do have concerns about the quality of our partners out there.

Thats was during the Paddys Day Riots in Kosovo in 2004.

Irish troops held off over 3000 ethnic Albanians trying to force their way into a Serb town in order to do God knows what.

That night another small group of Irish troops made their way into Pristina and brought roughly 80 Serbs and aid workers to safety who were trapped in the city.

My name is URL · 31-08-2014 1:33pm

Stinicker wrote: »

We should be sending more reinforcements, equipment and basically whatever hardware we have to send. This is bigger than the United Nations, as a peaceful nation, protector human rights, respect for women and freedom of religion and speech we have a moral duty to fight against ISIS

They're not fighting against IS. They're not even supposed to be (and afaik have no remit to) fight against anyone. They're a peacekeeping force, not a peacemaking one. Correct me if I'm wrong but they're not allowed to attack anyone unless it's in direct defense to an attack launched on them.

Heard Coveney on the radio yesterday saying that he'll be looking at where the contingent goes from here. Is there a chance they'll be pulled out of the area if attacks on the peacekeeping forces continue?

arybvtcw0eolkf · 31-08-2014 1:36pm

My name is URL wrote: »

Heard Coveney on the radio yesterday saying that he'll be looking at where the contingent goes from here. Is there a chance they'll be pulled out of the area if attacks on the peacekeeping forces continue?

Political small talk.

The current contingent is nearing the end of its mission and a review of the outgoing contingents mandate is normal, means nothing.

A missions mandate and rules of engagement (RoE) can be strengthened at anytime by UNHQ NY.

John Mongo · 31-08-2014 1:38pm

My name is URL wrote: »

They're not fighting against IS. They're not even supposed to be (and afaik have no remit to) fight against anyone. They're a peacekeeping force, not a peacemaking one. Correct me if I'm wrong but they're not allowed to attack anyone unless it's in direct defense to an attack launched on them.

Heard Coveney on the radio yesterday saying that he'll be looking at where the contingent goes from here. Is there a chance they'll be pulled out of the area if attacks on the peacekeeping forces continue?

I've no idea of the actual RoE for UNDOF but I'd imagine the most likely ones to be used by Irish lads will be in defence of their own life or the life of other UN troops.

The major issue for UNDOF and continued Irish participation in the mission will most likely be what happens when the Fillipino's pull out their 300+ troops in October. If that huge gap in the force isn't filled, the entire mission will be in jeopardy.

allroad · 31-08-2014 1:51pm

The Filipino troops seem to have acquitted themselves very well.
I'm sure they feel a bit miffed at being described as "saved".
Filipino media is certainly downplaying any role Irish troops had in the operation.

gugleguy · 31-08-2014 2:37pm

The Filipino troops have indeed acquitted themselves well. Well done to our own boys all the same, they are mentioned in the same article [LINK]http://apnews.myway.com//article/20140831/syria-peacekeepers-75fb41f8bd.html
[/LINK]

Wicklowrider · 31-08-2014 2:42pm

Summer Salmon Topaz wrote: »

At last we have an army that kind of does what an army is supposed to do.

At last?
Could you do me a favour and look up the Siege of Jadoville?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Jadotville

P_1 · 31-08-2014 2:42pm

Bloody good show. Not usually one to triumph militarism but by all accounts they're doing their job and making a damn fine show of it.

Irish UN Soldiers help to rescue Filipino Peacekeepers who are Under Fire

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