Base hit

Eight army blue helmets injured in Lebanon

The UNIFIL mission was launched in 1978.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/UNIFIL/AFP)

These are the first Austrian casualties in the conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon: on Tuesday, eight soldiers of the Austrian Armed Forces were injured in a missile strike at the UN base in Naqoura. 

The soldiers were outside their shelters at the time of the incident. The impact set fire to a vehicle workshop. According to UNIFIL, the rocket came from the north: "Presumably from Hezbollah or a group allied with it. We have launched an investigation into the incident." 

According to the Federal Ministry of Defense, none of the soldiers required emergency medical treatment. The injuries were minor and superficial. This is the first time since 2012 that Austrian soldiers have been wounded on a foreign mission. 

"We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and demand that it be investigated immediately. All sides are called upon to immediately ensure the safety of all blue helmet soldiers. It cannot and will not be tolerated that the blue helmet soldiers of the UN peacekeeping mission are intentionally or unintentionally put in danger. I wish the injured comrades a speedy recovery," stressed Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. 

The UNIFIL camp Naqoura is located around 110 kilometers south of the Lebanese capital Beirut on the border with Israel:

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Blue helmets increasingly in the line of fire
According to UNIFIL, the UN observer mission in Lebanon, has been targeted by the warring parties several times in recent weeks. Most of the attacks on blue helmets are attributed to Israeli troops, who are fighting the radical Islamic Hezbollah militia in Lebanon from the air and with ground troops. Israel has demanded the withdrawal of UNIFIL troops from combat zones.

The latest statement was that despite the recent dramatic escalation and violence, the peacekeeping forces would continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon. "We will continue to carry out our mandated monitoring tasks," the UN announced.

According to ministry spokesman Michael Bauer, the soldiers were lucky in their misfortune. The injuries "do not go beyond minor flesh wounds and abrasions". The people affected are currently receiving medical treatment at Camp Naqoura. There is currently no question of flying the injured out and returning them to Austria, said Bauer.

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg expressed his "outrage" at the current events: "Attacks on UN peacekeepers are a serious violation of international law and are completely unacceptable." Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer also condemned the incident. He called on all parties involved to immediately ensure the safety of all blue helmet soldiers. "It is absolutely unacceptable that UN peacekeepers are put in danger." 

The UNIFIL peacekeeping force has been stationed in Lebanon since 1978 and comprises around 10,000 soldiers and civilian staff. Austria is involved in the mission with 160 soldiers; the Austrian troops are part of the "Multi Role Logistic Unit" transport unit. Since the beginning of the mission, 334 UNIFIL soldiers have been killed.