All articles tagged with #peacekeepers
Hezbollah fired mortars at a UNIFIL position in southern Lebanon, hitting a base in the Dibbine area and killing a Serbian peacekeeper with two others injured; the IDF says the attack was by Hezbollah, and UNIFIL is investigating while urging protection of personnel under international law.
The UN Secretary-General condemned a deadly attack on a UNIFIL patrol in southern Lebanon, where one peacekeeper was killed and three others injured while clearing ordnance near Ghanduriyah. Initial assessments point to non-state actors, with Hezbollah mentioned as alleged perpetrators. Guterres urged adherence to the ceasefire and international law, noted that attacks on peacekeepers may amount to war crimes, and UNIFIL launched an investigation while calling on Lebanon to hold those responsible to account.
A U.N. peacekeeper was killed and three others were wounded when a UNIFIL patrol clearing ordnance in southern Lebanon came under small-arms fire, underscoring the fragility of a recently underway 10-day ceasefire. French and Lebanese leaders urged a full investigation and accountability, while Israel conducted strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah warned against similar incursions, signaling heightened tensions around the truce.
German Chancellor Merz discussed the possibility of peacekeepers repelling Russian forces under a future ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighting US commitments to protect Ukraine if ceasefire terms are violated. Despite ongoing negotiations and positive signals from US officials, Russia opposes European involvement in peace talks, and tensions persist with issues like media suppression and military activity at the Zaporizhzhia plant. Meanwhile, efforts continue to bring home South African fighters in Russia.
The article reports that Donald Trump proposed the idea of deploying Chinese peacekeepers to Ukraine, a suggestion that has garnered attention and controversy.
During a 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, a shooting occurred after two self-described peacekeepers confronted a man with a rifle, resulting in the death of an innocent bystander and the wounding of the suspect, Arturo Gamboa. Police are investigating the roles of the peacekeepers and the legality of their actions, as the incident raises concerns about unauthorized security at protests.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is open to considering French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to deploy foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine, contingent on a clear NATO membership timeline. This comes amid ongoing discussions about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump formulating a plan to achieve peace. Meanwhile, Russia's defense spending has surged to record levels, and Russian military suppliers have exploited loopholes to source U.S. microchips despite sanctions. Additionally, the ex-chief of a Russian-run prison in Donetsk was reportedly killed in a car bombing.
UNIFIL peacekeepers were fired upon during a patrol in southern Lebanon, highlighting the ongoing dangers they face in the region. The incident involved French and Finnish peacekeepers who were initially blocked by armed individuals before being shot at 40 times from behind. Although no injuries were reported, the attack is suspected to involve non-state actors possibly linked to Hezbollah or Iran-affiliated militias. UNIFIL condemned the attack as a violation of international laws and resolution 1701, emphasizing the perilous conditions under which peacekeepers operate.
A patrol of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was hit by Israeli army gunfire near the Aytaroun village in southern Lebanon. No peacekeepers were injured, but the vehicle was damaged. Tensions have been escalating along the border between Lebanon and Israel, with intermittent exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. The incident occurred during a period of relative calm along the Blue Line, which marks the UN-set withdrawal line for Israeli forces from Lebanon. UNIFIL condemned the attack and called on the parties to protect peacekeepers and avoid unnecessary risks.
Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh have surrendered their arms to Russian peacekeepers, following Azerbaijan's reclaiming of the breakaway region. The separatists handed over armored vehicles, small arms, and ammunition. Talks on reintegrating the region into Azerbaijan are ongoing. Russia has been a key partner of Armenia, but ties have strained as Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan criticized Russia's failure to protect Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan is delivering humanitarian aid to the region, which has been cut off from supplies. Anxiety is high among the region's people, with many wanting to be evacuated to Armenia.
Russian peacekeepers were killed when their military vehicle came under fire near the village of Dzhanyatag as Azerbaijan intensified its attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh. The incident occurred after Azerbaijan claimed control of the breakaway region, leading to a Moscow-brokered ceasefire. The Armenian government has criticized Russian peacekeepers for their inaction in the region, raising concerns about Russia's ability to maintain peace in the Caucasus. Armenia's Prime Minister has expressed doubts about Russia's commitment to Armenia, suggesting that Russia may abandon its obligations to the country.
Turkey's foreign minister has accused the United Nations of losing its neutrality in Cyprus after the Security Council criticized construction work by Turkish Cypriots in the buffer zone and condemned their assault on U.N. peacekeepers. The Security Council described the road construction as a violation of the status quo, but Turkey argues that Greek Cypriots have been allowed to proceed with similar projects. The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected the council's position, claiming it is divorced from the realities on the ground. The U.N. Secretary-General condemned the assault on peacekeepers, while Cyprus welcomed the Security Council's statement as a response to the Turkish Cypriot actions.
The UN will send home a unit of 60 Tanzanian peacekeepers over allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse in the Central African Republic. A preliminary investigation found “credible evidence” that eleven members of the unit were involved in sexual exploitation and abuse of four victims, two of whom are children. Tanzanian authorities have dispatched investigation officers to the Central African Republic. There have been allegations of sexual abuse or exploitation against Tanzanian peacekeepers every year since at least 2015, UN figures show.
Armenia's Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, has urged Russian peacekeepers to have full control of the Lachin corridor, the only land link between Armenia and Azerbaijan's Armenian-majority region. Azerbaijan has set up a checkpoint on the corridor, in violation of Moscow-brokered agreements, citing safety concerns and accusing Armenia of transporting weapons to Karabakh. Armenia has repeatedly accused Moscow peacekeepers of failing to protect ethnic Armenians living in the breakaway region. The United States and European Union have sought to take the lead in peace talks.