Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Defence forces Deployment to UNDOF
Collapse
X
-
As the IT can be behind a paywall you can access the stories through their Twitter feed.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
The Mission: 48th Infantry gets ready for the Golan Heights
My Mission: Sgt-Maj Noel O’Callaghan – oldest soldier in group
Why gender matters when you’re on military manoeuvres overseas
- Likes 2
Comment
-
From ‘teeth to tail’ planning for deployment is mission-critical
Lieut Jane O’Neill is in charge of mine clearance and the Golan’s ‘area of separation’
There are essentially two dangers: purpose-made anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices favoured by insurgents
‘What would it take for you to leave your lovely home?’ officers are asked
- Likes 1
Comment
-
The Mission: Wicklow stands in for western Syria
Capt Cormac Brady believes missions are ‘definitely harder’ for partners
Comment
-
Golan Heights described as one of the most 'dangerous UN missions' in the world
The acting commander currently in charge of United Nations forces in the Golan Heights has described it as one of the most dangerous UN missions in the world.
Over 130 Irish troops are based at Camp Ziouani and the observation posts along the area separating Israel from Syria.
Brigadier General Tony Hanlon, who is the deputy force commander, said UN troops including the Irish are under constant risk of attack.
He said that troops have been fired on, kidnapped and had their weapons stolen and bases in Syria overrun.
Armed groups in Syria are fighting a civil war against the government forces and the distance between the front line and the UN camp is 3km.
The front line was 27km away from the camp last September.
The fighting is getting closer to the UN base at Camp Ziouani, where 130 Irish troops are posted.
Activity by armed insurgents has also been registered 100m outside the gates.
Brig Gen Hanlon said their mandate is to observe and report on the ceasefire between Israel and Syria but they have no role in the ongoing Syrian civil war.
He says that because of their mandate, it is no longer possible for them to report and patrol from the Syrian side.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
I have to say, great push on the PR front for UNDOF with the Irish Times articles and the news report. I think the IT articles are possibly the most comprehensive and well written pieces on DF overseas deployment in my service. All the personnel come across incredibly professionally and human. The complexity of an overseas unit, it's training , tasks and people are perfectly captured. The IT got some level of access , well done to all behind it, ballsy move by the Press Office to be fair and the unit for letting them in, but seems to have worked out very positively. How about another journalist deployed on any Naval Vessel we send to the med ( but not from the fxxcking cork examiner, please)
- Likes 5
Comment
-
Syrian civil war adds to danger for UN peacekeepers on the Golan Heights
The United Nations peacekeeping force on the Golan Heights says it is working to re-establish its presence in the zone of separation between Israel and Syria.
The Syrian civil war forced the troops to abandon as many as 20 posts in that area and in Syria, and they monitor the ceasefire from the Israeli side.
Irish officers say on one day last week there were 87 artillery attacks.
The civil war in Syria is much closer to the Irish troops than they might have expected when they were posted on UN peacekeeping duty to the Golan Heights.
The exchanges of mortar and artillery fire can be heard from Camp Ziouani where the 48th infantry are now based.
The troops cannot intervene in the civil war; their job is to watch and report violations of the ceasefire between Syria and Israel but this is becoming increasingly difficult.
There is not supposed to be any military activity in the zone of separation between the two countries but there is.
However, the Irish and other troops cannot do anything about these violations because of their mandate.
The civil war forced the UN to abandon their posts and work from the Israeli side.
But the commander there insists they are planning to re-establish the UN's presence in the zone and that when they do go back, they will stay.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
"A spokesperson for the Irish Defence Forces said all Defence Forces personnel were safe and accounted for."
Syria mortar shelling injuries two UN peacekeepers
- Likes 3
Comment
-
-
"This week the 48th Infantry Group, United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDOF) conducted a route clearance tasking in the Mount Hermon Range, on the northern extremity of their area of operations. In searing heat of between 25 - 33 degrees Celsius, a small Engineering team replete with vallons and personal protective equipment, painstakingly cleared every inch of an expansive route in an efficient and timely manner, so that their colleagues and local populace can use the route with less fear of un-exploded ordnance, remaining mindful that any movement in a conflict zone is still fraught with danger.
For military engineers such taskings are routine and prudent, conducted with the assistance of the Quick Reaction Force, Ordnance and Medical teams. Irish Engineer Specialist Search assets have been deployed in the Golan Heights since March 2014 and regularly complete operations such as this enhancing mobility and safety in theatre."
Attached Files
- Likes 2
Comment
-
"Last week the 48th Infantry Group UNDOF was tasked to search and clear an area close to a United Nations Post located in the foothills of the Mt. Hermon range. It was reported that the area was mined and that unexploded ordnance from the ongoing civil war could be present.
A significant challenge for this operation was the logistics and transport element. Detailed planning and orders were required in order to mitigate any potential issues in order to ensure the operation was executed without delay. A number of assets were deployed including armoured security, reconnaissance, medics, engineer specialist search team, explosive ordnance disposal and a logistics/transport support element."
- Likes 7
Comment
Comment