Defence Forces troops to be deployed to UNDOF

John Mongo

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/150-irish-troops-to-deploy-to-syriaisrael-border-600700.html

Up to 150 Irish troops will be deployed to the Middle East to protect a sensitive border crossing.

Defence Minister Alan Shatter revealed he has secured Government approval to send Defence Forces personnel to a UN mission in Syria.

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, is a neutral border zone between Syria and Israel.

The Irish troops will replace the Austrian soldiers who pulled out when two peacekeepers were injured as Syrian government and rebel fighters battled.

Mr Shatter said UNDOF remains an important element in ensuring some level of stability in the region.

“It is important that UNDOF has at its disposal all necessary means and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely,” he said.

“The support of troop contributing countries, such as Ireland, to UNDOF, allows the mission to continue implementing its mandate in a safe and secure manner.”

“The proposed deployment of an Irish contingent to UNDOF, if approved by Dail Eireann, would bring the strength of the mission up to the authorised level of 1,250.”

UNDOF was established in May 1974 following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights.

The Defence Forces already have more than 10 soldiers with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation’s (UNTSO) Observer Group Golan in Syria, with hundreds in Liberia and Lebanon

Three members were also deployed to UNDOF mission headquarters at Camp Faouar earlier this month, with a fourth to be deployed to the mission HQ shortly.

John Mongo

A Mechanised Infantry Coy shall deploy as Force Mobile Reserve for the AO.

Cork boy 55

How soon ?

Peregrine

Cork boy 55 wrote: »

How soon ?

Some papers say 'later this summer' and some say 'early September' so definitely less than 2 months from now.

Cork boy 55

The rebels appear to be regaining momentum on certain fronts the Darra governate in particular opposite the Golan
If current trends continue the area opposite the UNDOF AO
could be fully rebel controlled and might in terms of loyalist-rebel violence be a quiet zone within a couple of months if not sooner.

latest Map of fronts


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=568208689882689&set=pb.217139528322942.-2207520000.1376339881.&type=3&theater

Cork boy 55

Syrian opposition say they took Bariqa town near the ceasefire line with Israel.

google maps

discus

Any news?

claypigeon777

I imagine the Irish troops will be manning observation posts on some hill tops and the armored vehicles will used to ferry men and gear and supplies back and forth and they wont be involved in any combat unless someone fires at them?
I would imagine they will have plenty of artillery and air support if someone gets the bright idea of trying to push them out or attempt to encircle and destroy them?
They are well trained and well able to fight it out if the worst come to the worst.
If we lose people over there you can be sure who ever has a go at the Irish will come out of it a lot worse.

Cork boy 55

An large number of ATGMs of various types have turned up in Rebel hands in Syria, After the Hezbollah intervention in April.


Ahfad al-Rasul firing an HJ-8 somewhere in between Beit Jan, Rif Dimashq and the SAA's 90th Brigade. This is a few miles from Mount Hermon and the UNDOF zone:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyd6Ujix-KQ

Cork boy 55

discus wrote: »

Any news?

Irish soldiers ‘trained, ready, focussed and looking forward’ to Syria mission

TheJournal.ie sits down with Captain James O’Hara to discuss his imminent deployment to the Golan Heights.

rest at the link the journal 25-08-13

http://www.thejournal.ie/syria-irish-troops-1050730-Aug2013/

John Mongo

discus wrote: »

Any news?

The Company will leave Ireland at the start of September.

Once over there they'll crack into their job as Force Mobile Reserve and begin patrolling etc.

theGEM

Yes just don't patrol near the rebels who will cut your head off...

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/vatican-confirms-horror-beheading-of-catholic-priest-by-syrian-rebels-29387571.html

Morpheus

Pity someone doesn't smuggle in stabilized HD cameras instead to Syria!

Honey-ec

discus wrote: »

Any news?

Advance party are going out on Saturday (31st). Remainder are following on the 11th, I believe.

Flying into Beirut and travelling overland from there.

Frosty McSnowballs

Wednesday 04th Sept is advance party and 28th is the main body.....28th is still subject to change.

Honey-ec

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Wednesday 04th Sept is advance party and 28th is the main body.....28th is still subject to change.

You mean my ex is telling me porkies? The humanity!

Frosty McSnowballs

Honey-ec wrote: »

You mean my ex is telling me porkies? The humanity!

As of 1700hrs today my dates are correct. Your dates were probably right last week. Dates change for various reasons.

I might know your ex

Frosty McSnowballs

Deployment has been postponed for the moment .

goldie fish

Senor Fancy Pants wrote: »

Deployment has been postponed for the moment .

Nope.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/first-batch-of-irish-troops-to-depart-for-syria-605811.html

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

Frosty McSnowballs

goldie fish wrote: »

Nope.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/first-batch-of-irish-troops-to-depart-for-syria-605811.html

Eh yep!

No offense goldie, but you dont know everything. Deployment set for 20th and 27th...hopefully.

Morpheus

[MOD] Read the charter. Stick to the thread topic. This discussion is about Irish troops being deployed on a legitimate UN mission and THIS is the only warning. unrelated posts will now be removed. if you wish to discuss american foreign policy, in an intelligent debate, create a thread, otherwise infractions and or bans will be issued.[/MOD]

theGEM

Just saw the following video on LiveLeak (warning graphic):

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f4b_1379086730

Video shows a Syrian rebel wearing a UN issued Filipino bulletproof vest dying after being shot by a sniper. Most likely stolen when the Filipino soldiers serving in UNDOF were captured by the rebels in May 2013

The foreign minister of the Philippines recommended withdrawal, explaining that armed opposition groups were holding peacekeepers as human shields against attacks from government forces. (Those detained in the 6 March and 7 May incidents were Filipino peacekeepers.)

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2013-06/undof_golan_heights_2.php

Cork boy 55

Hands-down one of the best map of control for southern Syria

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Military_situation_in_Damascus_region_as_of_15th_of_September_2013.png

discus

Best of luck to the lads on the way out.

Cork boy 55

THE INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR
UPDATE: SYRIA'S SOUTHERN BATTLEFRONT
Oct 11, 2013 - Isabel Nassief

ISW wrote: »

Despite limited media coverage, Deraa is one of the most contested battlefronts in Syria. Deraa province, where the uprising began, has been second only to Damascus in the number of kinetic incidents throughout the month of September. In addition to giving insight into the current state of play between regime and rebel forces in the war, the unfolding dynamics among rebel groups in Deraa serve as indicators for how the armed opposition is taking form in Syria’s southern front. Coordinated, sophisticated operations in Deraa demonstrate the continued capacity for rebel collaboration, as well as a shift in the power dynamics among the various groups operating in the province. Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) in particular has emerged as a prominent player. Jabhat al-Nusra’s prominence in Deraa, particularly their willingness to work with civilian governance structures, indicates that the group has been able to adapt to the specific local conditions present in this conflict arena.

- See more at: http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/update-syrias-southern-battlefront#sthash.0flRl8bU.dpuf

Cork boy 55

CORMAC MCQUINN – 28 NOVEMBER 2013
Irish Independent

IRISH troops on a peace-keeping mission in the Golan Heights have exchanged fire with Syrian rebels after a convoy came under attack.
The brief fire-fight took place at 9:50 local time this morning on the Syrian-Israeli border where Irish soldier have been patrolling since September as part of a UN force.

No Irish troops were seriously injured in the incident which is the second time this month that they have come under fire in the disputed region which has been monitored by international peacekeepers since 1974.

(----)

Earlier this month another Irish patrol passed within 200 metres of artillery fire between rebels and forces loyal to the regime of Bashar Al-Assad.

Most of the Irish troops in the Golan Heights are from the east of the country with many based in Cathal Brugha barracks in Dublin.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-troops-forced-to-return-fire-in-syria-29793607.html

Cork boy 55

A Mowag Ambulance in a snowy Golan Syria. There has also been heavy snow in the Irish AO in Lebanon.

Cork boy 55

Irish Counter Improvised Explosive Device Equipment arrives in Camp Faouar

http://undof.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=9227&ctl=Details&mid=12271&ItemID=20782&language=en-US


----

Philippines to repatriate UN troops in Golan

http://www.afp.com/en/node/2754870

sparky42

43 UNDOF troops have been taken hostage, DOD reporting none of them are Irish, with suggestions that they are Filipino.

pablomakaveli

sparky42 wrote: »

43 UNDOF troops have been taken hostage, DOD reporting none of them are Irish, with suggestions that they are Filipino.

Still a worrying development regardless. Hopefully they'll be released unharmed.

sparky42

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Still a worrying development regardless. Hopefully they'll be released unharmed.

Agreed, though I'm not exactly thrilled if they end up being ransomed, those groups don't need anymore bankrolling.

BlaasForRafa

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Still a worrying development regardless. Hopefully they'll be released unharmed.

They are Fijian. Apparently Filipino troops were ordered to surrender as well but they refused. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/184516

sparky42

Why do I get the feeling Coveney is going to pull the troops out?

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/coveney-we-cannot-have-irish-soldiers-dragged-into-civil-war-in-syria-640585.html

Wicklowrider

sparky42 wrote: »

Why do I get the feeling Coveney is going to pull the troops out?

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/coveney-we-cannot-have-irish-soldiers-dragged-into-civil-war-in-syria-640585.html

Get them home or get them reinforcements, armour, air cover and artillery.
I mean this towards the UN rather than at the pdf and the other units involved.

Its a crap deal for a company strength unit to just stand there waiting for this stuff to happen. I'm too long a civvy to just accept this is part of the job. If they engage they should have what they need to do the job.

Cork boy 55

It was observer mission from ~1967-2011

then SHTF in Syria


A few countries pulled out

UN upgraded UNDOF but not enough

now this sitrep

---

The Resources to upgrade properly( full force protection) in a civil war context don't justify the continuation of mission i.e. those Resources could be better spent else where in world therefore mission should be downgraded to Israelis side or frozen

Reggie.

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Get them home or get them reinforcements, armour, air cover and artillery.
I mean this towards the UN rather than at the pdf and the other units involved.

Its a crap deal for a company strength unit to just stand there waiting for this stuff to happen. I'm too long a civvy to just accept this is part of the job. If they engage they should have what they need to do the job.

Agreed

BlaasForRafa

Cork boy 55 wrote: »

The Resources to upgrade properly( full force protection) in a civil war context don't justify the continuation of mission i.e. those Resources could be better spent else where in world therefore mission should be downgraded to Israelis side or frozen

Indeed, let the Israelis take care of the border, they're more than capable. The UNDOF detachments are in an unenviable position of practically being sitting ducks for various rebel factions.

Five Lamps

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Get them home or get them reinforcements, armour, air cover and artillery.
I mean this towards the UN rather than at the pdf and the other units involved.

From where? There's been very few UN missions anywhere that have had that level of support.

In any case, it seems that an AA gun on the back of a pick up truck seems to be trumping everybody elses equipment in the area so I'm not sure if being 'tooled up' is a game changer.

sparky42

Five Lamps wrote: »

From where? There's been very few UN missions anywhere that have had that level of support.

In any case, it seems that an AA gun on the back of a pick up truck seems to be trumping everybody elses equipment in the area so I'm not sure if being 'tooled up' is a game changer.

Maybe just change the rules of the mission to allow the UN troops to be more active in stopping the threats before they surround outposts?

Reggie.

sparky42 wrote: »

Maybe just change the rules of the mission to allow the UN troops to be more active in stopping the threats before they surround outposts?

Would the non article 7 missions not cover that.

Five Lamps

sparky42 wrote: »

Maybe just change the rules of the mission to allow the UN troops to be more active in stopping the threats before they surround outposts?

What are the rules of engagement in this area? Clearly the environment has changed and instead of dealing with the Syrian and Israeli armies on either side they are now dealing with an irregular force who have zero interest in any rules of engagement.

sparky42

Well there are reports from the Filipino's that the Indian General commanding the mission ordered the Filipino outposts to surrender so as to not risk the captured Fijians, which the Filipino's ignored, so great command environment there I'd say.

gizmo555

sparky42 wrote: »

Well there are reports from the Filipino's that the Indian General commanding the mission ordered the Filipino outposts to surrender so as to not risk the captured Fijians, which the Filipino's ignored, so great command environment there I'd say.

With the number of prisoners on all sides who have been shot out of hand - or worse - in the Syrian civil war, I can't say I'd blame the Filipinos for disregarding an order like that, if in fact it was given.

[It appears the Filipinos' refusal to surrender was approved by the head of their armed forces, General Catapang.]

sparky42

gizmo555 wrote: »

With the number of prisoners on all sides who have been shot out of hand - or worse - in the Syrian civil war, I can't say I'd blame the Filipinos for disregarding an order like that, if in fact it was given.

[It appears the Filipinos' refusal to surrender was approved by the head of their armed forces, General Catapang.]

I'm not surprised, the Filipino's have plenty of experience fighting Islamic terror groups in their homeland, I'm betting they figured that surrendering wouldn't end well. I wasn't complain about them or their General, I was more commenting on the disjointed command authority in the mission.

Local-womanizer

The irish daily star has a video up from the minestrike on the irish patrol few months back for those interested

http://www.thestar.ie/star/video-irish-troops-ambushed-in-golan-heights-52276/

arybvtcw0eolkf

Local-womanizer wrote: »

The irish daily star has a video up from the minestrike on the irish patrol few months back for those interested

http://www.thestar.ie/star/video-irish-troops-ambushed-in-golan-heights-52276/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXqm2hAF7BU

Reggie.

That was being kept under wraps. Wonder who leaked it out

sparky42

Reggie. wrote: »

That was being kept under wraps. Wonder who leaked it out

That and the list of actions that they have been involved in, I hadn't seen anything of that before now...?

Local-womanizer

sparky42 wrote: »

That and the list of actions that they have been involved in, I hadn't seen anything of that before now...?

It was reported on after it had happened. First time the video has been made public

Reggie.

Local-womanizer wrote: »

It was reported on after it had happened. First time the video has been made public

There was a black out on the media so it would have been very little mentioned about it