Our reporter Niall O'Connor visits Irish troops in the Golan Heights

The Journal
The Journal
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Published 2024-03-05
Irish troops on peacekeeping duty high on the contested ground of The Golan have seen a major increase in violence near their base since the beginning of the Hamas and Israeli war, a senior Defence Forces officer has said.

Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Clear is the officer commanding the 68 Infantry Group which is nearing the end of its stint in Syria.

He said that such is the danger in the area that the group is taking extra care, knowing there is a risk that patrols will inadvertently drive into fighting.

Clear said the violence that has engulfed the region in the wake of the Hamas 7 October attack on Israel has seen a series of “escalations” – not just in Gaza but across the troubled region.

The 68 Infantry Group of 133 Irish Defence Forces soldiers is based at Camp Faouar which is located just a short distance from the Lebanese and Israeli borders.

Maintaining the difficult peace, the troops act as a Quick Reaction Force that deploy to help other peacekeepers in trouble.

Ireland will end its involvement in the mission, dubbed the United Nations Disengagement Observer Mission, in April.

Read more here www.thejournal.ie/irish-defence-forces-peacekeeper…

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