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Minister for Defence Announces Deployment of Irish Troops to Syria

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  • 16-07-2013 6:00pm
    #1
    Sierra Oscar
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,458 CMod ✭✭✭✭


    The Minsiter for Defence, Alan Shatter, has today announced that he has secured cabinet approval for the deployment of Irish troops in support of the 'United Nations Disengagement Observer Force' in the Golan Heights in Syria.

    Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D. secures Government approval for deployment of Defence Forces personnel with UNDOF Mission in Syria

    Asutria announced last month that it would evacuate its troops from the Golan Heights in response to growing instability associated with the Syrian Civil War. There have been a number of clashes between Israeli and Syrian forces within the Golan Heights region in recent times. The violence between the Syrian Arab Army and the Free Syrian Army has also spilled over into the Golan Heights over the last number of months.

    Austria to quit U.N.'s Golan force over Syria violence

    This news has come as a surprise to many. The UN has been finding it difficult to identify states willing to commit troops to the Golan Heights following Austria's withdrawl, mainly due to concerns surrounding instability in the region. Austria had also articulated concerns surrounding the resourcing for UNDOF and its ability to respond to violence should the region descend into conflict.

    The Minister will bring the matter before the Dáil this Thursday. I would imagine there will be quite a lot of debate surrounding the issue.


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Comments

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    #2
    hmmm
    Registered Users Posts: 11,205 ✭✭✭✭hmmm


    Are the cabinet off their heads? Other countries are falling over themselves desperately trying to extract their troops from the Golan, and we want to put in a company? That entire buffer zone should have been abandoned years ago.


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    #3
    Tea drinker
    Registered Users Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭Tea drinker


    The terrorists will target them.


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    #4
    Yitzhak Rabin
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,225 ✭✭✭Yitzhak Rabin


    Best of luck and a safe trip to anyone who serves there.

    Most members of the DF will be glad to get over there and do what they're trained to do.

    I'd be proud to be part of a nation that stands up and does its international duty.


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    #5
    helimachoptor
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 21,640 Mod ✭✭✭✭helimachoptor


    The poster above me, you couldn't make this stuff up!


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    #6
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭MagicMarker


    What are the odds on this being shot down in the Dail?


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    #7
    Yitzhak Rabin
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,225 ✭✭✭Yitzhak Rabin


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    What are the odds on this being shot down in the Dail?

    Slim and none. Its been passed by the cabinet. The dail is just a rubber-stamping procedure at this stage.


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    #8
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    It looks like it will be a tough and demanding mission but i'm confident the lads who go out will do a good job out there.


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    #9
    Iwasfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 16,250 ✭✭✭✭Iwasfrozen


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    It looks like it will be a tough and demanding mission but i'm confident the lads who go out will do a good job out there.
    What business do "our lads" have over there? We should stay out of this mess in the Middle East.


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    #10
    Sierra Oscar
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,458 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    Tea drinker wrote: »
    The terrorists will target them.

    Just last march a group of Syrian rebels captured 21 Philippine soldiers who were assigned to UNDOF and held them hostage for a time before negotiating their release with the aid of Jordan.

    The Philippine government had announced that it would evacuate its soldiers operating with the mission after a further four of its soldiers were captured by rebels and used as human shields. However it seems that the Philippine government may have demanded that European states commit to the mission in order to ensure that they remained within the mission.


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    #11
    Riddle101
    Registered Users Posts: 8,378 ✭✭✭Riddle101


    Sierra Oscar wrote: »
    Just last march a group of Syrian rebels captured 21 Philippine soldiers who were assigned to UNDOF and held them hostage for a time before negotiating their release with the aid of Jordan.

    The Philippine government had announced that it would evacuate its soldiers operating with the mission after a further four of its soldiers were captured by rebels and used as human shields. However it seems that the Philippine government may have demanded that European states commit to the mission in order to ensure that they remained within the mission.

    Is this what you were talking about?
    http://globalnation.inquirer.net/67477/syrian-rebels-treat-captured-filipino-soldiers-as-guests-military-spokesman


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    #12
    WakeUp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,823 ✭✭✭WakeUp


    I think this is a really bad decision by Shatter. He has volunteered our soldiers deployment to a live war zone I dont know what he is thinking we should be making plans to get our troops out of Lebanon not sending more to a region on a knife edge. The Austrians & Croatians have been bullied out of the place its going to be a very difficult and dangerous deployment. If they have to go could we not send some rangers along aswell not permanently just until they assess the situation and settle in. Syrian gunmen infilitrated a position on the golan Tuesday and a fire fight broke out between them and the Israelis. 10 mortar shells landed there aswell albeit stray ones apparently. This isnt a good idea war between Israel and Syria could break out at anytime.
    http://www.timesofisrael.com/syrian-gunmen-fire-on-israel-patrol/


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    #13
    Seaneh
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 18,300 ✭✭✭✭Seaneh


    This is a terrible, terrible idea and clearly affected by Shatters interest in the region.

    Sending Irish troops into an area like this when it's not needed and making them a target for jihadists is idiocy.


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    #14
    clairefontaine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,390 ✭✭✭clairefontaine


    Big mistake. The Irish will be destroyed.


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    #15
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    Iwasfrozen wrote: »
    What business do "our lads" have over there? We should stay out of this mess in the Middle East.

    The business of peacekeeping?

    It's not supposed to be an easy job. The previous peacekeeping missions that Ireland have been involved in have been dangerous as well but they have alway managed to do a good job.


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    #16
    Cookie_Monster
    Registered Users Posts: 24,469 ✭✭✭✭Cookie_Monster


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    The business of peacekeeping?

    Peace keeping in an active war-zone, bit of an oxymoron ain't it?


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    #17
    Sir Humphrey Appleby
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,465 ✭✭✭Sir Humphrey Appleby


    Seaneh wrote: »
    This is a terrible, terrible idea and clearly affected by Shatters interest in the region.

    Sending Irish troops into an area like this when it's not needed and making them a target for jihadists is idiocy.

    What interest would that be, please do explain.:confused:


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    #18
    Valmont
    Registered Users Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭Valmont


    I really hope the Irish army doesn't get tangled up in the mess in Syria. Leave them at it! I know this is probably histrionic, but would anyone else be concerned about possible blowback from a deployment of Irish troops in the region?


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    #19
    Larbre34
    Registered Users Posts: 23,797 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    I think people should reserve comments until they have read up on what the mission actually is. This is a pre-existing situation, the UN are anxious not to have the buffer zone exploited in the current civil war. Irish and other UN contributor countries are NOT about to be landed into a situation between the Syrian govt and rebel forces.

    The Irish Army's extensive Lebanese experience makes them ideal to provide a Company for this mission, and they are respected by the stakeholders in that part of the middle east.

    Irish soldiers are highly trained, equipped and motivated professionals. Nobody signs up to a Military career expecting days of wine and roses. Carrying out the task for which they have spent years preparing will be no bother to them. It will not be without danger, but their very presence and experience will mitigate that danger for themselves and the other force contributors.

    I believe the Govt are right to commit to this, as a country we benefit hugely from the investment and aid of the international community so we are morally bound to give back what we can. Besides, you cannot suspend every other activity the state is involved in just due to economic difficulties, and the Defence Forces are keeping going on 35% less budget than they did at the peak.

    I wish them a safe and productive deployment, I hope the personnel find it challenging and rewarding. Bail o Dhia an obair.


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    #20
    Seaneh
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 18,300 ✭✭✭✭Seaneh


    Old and grey wrote: »
    What interest would that be, please do explain.:confused:

    If you aren't aware that Alan Shatter is a self proclaimed Zionist then that's not my fault.


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    #21
    Tea drinker
    Registered Users Posts: 2,818 ✭✭✭Tea drinker


    Seaneh wrote: »
    If you aren't aware that Alan Shatter is a self proclaimed Zionist then that's not my fault.
    Can you post something up to back this assertion?

    Sierra Oscar wrote: »
    Just last march a group of Syrian rebels captured 21 Philippine soldiers who were assigned to UNDOF and held them hostage for a time before negotiating their release with the aid of Jordan.

    The Philippine government had announced that it would evacuate its soldiers operating with the mission after a further four of its soldiers were captured by rebels and used as human shields. However it seems that the Philippine government may have demanded that European states commit to the mission in order to ensure that they remained within the mission.
    yes 2 incidents afaik involving the Philippine soldiers. Some elements of UNDOF are unarmed, it might be some concern to the soldiers to be in such a situation. As to what the mission is, observe the disengagement of SAA and IDF, it will be difficult with SAA attacking terrorists in this area.


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    #22
    Iwasfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 16,250 ✭✭✭✭Iwasfrozen


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    The business of peacekeeping?

    It's not supposed to be an easy job. The previous peacekeeping missions that Ireland have been involved in have been dangerous as well but they have alway managed to do a good job.
    Peace keeping in Syria is not our concern.


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    #23
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    Iwasfrozen wrote: »
    Peace keeping in Syria is not our concern.

    Neither was the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Liberia and Chad. The Irish Army has been involved in UN operations in all those countries and is held in high regard for the work they did.


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    #24
    Iwasfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 16,250 ✭✭✭✭Iwasfrozen


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    Neither was the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Liberia and Chad. The Irish Army has been involved in UN operations in all those countries and is held in high regard for the work they did.
    You're right. the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Liberia and Chad were none of our business and I can live without getting a pat on the back by the UN. Half the problems you mention were caused by the intervention of foreigners.


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    #25
    hmmm
    Registered Users Posts: 11,205 ✭✭✭✭hmmm


    This is a nonsensical mission and this isn't 1967. If the Syrian army move into the buffer zone, the Israelis are more than capable of taking them out. If Hezbollah want to move in, they'll move in and couldn't care less about the UN - worst case scenario they'll try and drive the UN out. The UN are achieving nothing except putting soldiers in harms way.


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    #26
    Manach
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 9,664 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manach


    Peace keeping by definition implies that there is a peace situation to be kept. The Golan has been an international flashpoint for decades and a source of tension even when the main actors were Israel and Syria. Given the fractured rebel groupings in the country and the real possibility of use of chemical weapons, which even the US struggled to train for in desert conditions, then the risk/reward benefit of sending Irish troops does not compute.
    My main issue with Minister Shatter, is that he holds the Justice and Defence portfolios. Given the complex and evolving nature of this deployment, such a shared-job would mean he has not thought this decision through.


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    #27
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    Iwasfrozen wrote: »
    You're right. the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Liberia and Chad were none of our business and I can live without getting a pat on the back by the UN. Half the problems you mention were caused by the intervention of foreigners.

    And they would have been far worse had there been no UN intervention. Take Congo for example. It's been neglected by the international community for years and is suffering badly for it.


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    #28
    Iwasfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 16,250 ✭✭✭✭Iwasfrozen


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    And they would have been far worse had there been no UN intervention. Take Congo for example. It's been neglected by the international community for years and is suffering badly for it.
    It's not our duty to police the world. We don't have some moral obligation to impose our version of democracy on everyone else.


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    #29
    pablomakaveli
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,752 ✭✭✭pablomakaveli


    Iwasfrozen wrote: »
    It's not our duty to police the world. We don't have some moral obligation to impose our version of democracy on everyone else.

    Who's saying anything about imposing democracy?

    It's more about protecting the innocents who get caught up in these conflicts more than anything. The Irish Army were protecting refugees in Chad. They were involved in defusing IED's in Lebanon which could have posed a threat to civilians. They were never involved in "imposing" anything on these people.

    Your attitude is what leads to incidents like the genocide in Rwanda or the current conflict in the Congo spiralling out of control because no one's willing to step in and help bring things under control.


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    #30
    hmmm
    Registered Users Posts: 11,205 ✭✭✭✭hmmm


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    It's more about protecting the innocents who get caught up in these conflicts more than anything.
    What innocents are we protecting? We're policing a buffer zone intended to prevent the Syrian Army and the Israeli Army from fighting each other.


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    #31
    Iwasfrozen
    Registered Users Posts: 16,250 ✭✭✭✭Iwasfrozen


    pablomakaveli wrote: »
    Who's saying anything about imposing democracy?

    It's more about protecting the innocents who get caught up in these conflicts more than anything. The Irish Army were protecting refugees in Chad. They were involved in defusing IED's in Lebanon which could have posed a threat to civilians. They were never involved in "imposing" anything on these people.

    Your attitude is what leads to incidents like the genocide in Rwanda or the current conflict in the Congo spiralling out of control because no one's willing to step in and help bring things under control.
    I understand that but why is the welfare of Chadian or Congoese citizens any of our concern? Most of these problems (including the Rwandan genocide) were caused by foreign intervention in the first place.


This discussion has been closed.
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