Pinoy peacekeepers engage Syrian rebels in firefight

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino United Nations peacekeepers in Golan Heights clashed yesterday with Syrian rebels who had given them an ultimatum to surrender their weapons and leave their positions or face attack.

The attack by the rebels belonging to the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nushra Front began at 11 a.m. (Manila time) or 6 a.m. (Syrian time), Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters in Manila yesterday.

The militants surrounded the Filipino garrison three days ago to force the peacekeepers to surrender their weapons.

Gazmin said defense and military officials led by Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang were continuously monitoring the situation. He said the 72 Filipinos were in high spirits. The Filipinos were in positions called 68 and 69.

Irish troops were able to secure a route for Filipino troops out of position 69.

“Naka extricate na ang 69 (position 69 was able to extricate) and only 68 now is under attack,” Gazmin said. “The troops’ morale is high.”

Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the troops were safe based on initial reports. He declined to give details.

The military was supposed to hold a media briefing in the afternoon yesterday but called it off without giving reason.

“We will just let you know. The priority really right now is the safety of our troops,” Zagala said.

The Defense Force Ireland (DFI) said on its website that its forces “secured a route” and “provided security” to Filipino troops whom they “escorted” to UN forces headquarters in Camp Faouar.

On Thursday, the rebels began surrounding the positions of the Filipino peacekeepers shortly after forcing the surrender of Fijian UN peacekeepers.

Through an English-speaking Fijian officer, the rebels who were holding hostage the 44 Fijian peacekeepers ordered the Filipino troops to lay down their weapons and surrender.

The Filipino soldiers refused to surrender, saying they were prepared to repel any attack from the militants.

One of the Filipino peacekeepers – an Army corporal – was quoted by his superior officer back home as saying that they would rather fight than surrender to the rebels who were known for their brutality.

“Eh kung kapwa Muslim brothers and sisters nila ay pinagpapatay nila ano ang assurance namin (They kill even their own Muslim brothers and sisters so what assurance do we have that they will spare us)?”

Fighting erupted even as the UN was reportedly negotiating for a peaceful end to the standoff.

Several UN-member states have reportedly been tapped to help resolve the crisis.

The Filipino peacekeepers are part of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights, a troubled border area between Israel and Syria.

Yesterday’s fighting came just two months before the end of the Filipino peacekeepers tour of duty in Golan Heights. Col. Roberto Ancan, commander of the military’s peacekeeping operations center based in Tarlac, said the soldiers deployed in the Golan are well trained and highly motivated to defend their positions.

“I just like to emphasize that our troops are well armed, they are well trained. They are well disciplined warrior-peacekeepers,” Ancan said.

‘Safe and in good health’

The UN, meanwhile, said in a statement that it had received assurances from credible sources that the Fijian peacekeepers “are safe and in good health.”

The statement added that they had been informed “the intention behind holding the peacekeepers was to remove them from an active battlefield to a safe area for their own protection.”

In Australia, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop condemned the detention of the Fijian peacekeepers and called for their release.

“As a member of the UN Security Council, Australia demands the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers,” Bishop said in a statement.

Bishop said she telephoned Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola to express Australia’s strong support, including use of its intelligence resources.

Bishop also said she assured them that Australia will use its position on the UN Security Council to maintain focus on this issue.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also has condemned the detention of the Fijians and called for their immediate release.

The UN mission, known as UNDOF, has 1,223 troops from six countries: Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands and the Philippines.

But the Philippine government said last week that it would bring home its 331 peacekeeping forces from Golan Heights after their tour of duty ends in October, amid deteriorating security in the area.

Various Syrian rebel groups have been engaged in intense fighting with the Syrian military in and near the Golan.

The world body also told the media that the UNDOF has not yet had direct contact with the Fijian peacekeepers.

According to the UN, the force has been in regular contact with the 72 Filipino peacekeepers and can confirm they have not been harmed and are in good health.

“The United Nations is engaging – continues to engage – with a wide range of parties within Syria, and is making every effort to ensure the safety and security of its personnel,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

“The UN is also engaging with member states who may have influence over armed opposition elements to encourage the safe release of the peacekeepers,” Dujarric added.

Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF were monitoring the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war. – Pia Lee-Brago, AP