To answer the Deputy's questions, since its establishment in 1974, the UNDOF mission has helped maintain an area of separation over 75 kilometers long between the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, thereby substantially contributing to fulfilling its UN mandate.
In recent years, the region has encountered varying escalations of conflict, which have affected the UNDOF area of operations. Nevertheless, the UN Secretary General’s most recent report acknowledged the continued importance of both parties liaising with UNDOF, as part of a continuous effort to contribute to de-escalation during times of heightened tension. The difficult operating environment for the mission should not detract from the importance of the mission in contributing to regional stability and deescalating tensions between the parties. As stated in the mandate, UNDOF’s deployment and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are steps toward a just and durable peace on the basis of Security Council resolution 338 (1973).
As the Deputy will be aware, all peacekeeping missions have associated risk. The Defence Forces have operated in the Middle East since 1958 and is habitually acquainted with the risks associated with this theatre. The Defence Forces are well trained, equipped and are resolute in carrying out the peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks assigned to it in the fulfilment of its overseas missions.
The Defence Force, on an ongoing basis, engage in ongoing risk assessments and mitigation for all its peacekeeping missions. As is the case in all Missions including this one, appropriate force protection measures are adopted in line with up to date threat assessments.
UN peacekeeping operations are managed by the UN Department of Peace Operations with Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) providing resources. There are currently some 130 Irish Peacekeepers deployed in the UNDOF mission. In addition, there are a number of DF Staff officers in UNDOF HQ, and a number of Defence Forces' unarmed observers in the region with UNTSO mission. The Irish contingent has sufficient personnel and equipment to adequately complete its mission.
Ireland will complete its’ withdrawal of its UNDOF Infantry Group deployment in April 2024. A replacement Troop Contributing Country has been selected to take over this role. Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' contingent is well advanced, involving the United Nations, the Force Headquarters, the current Irish contingent and the replacement Troop Contributing Country. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Infantry Group, the Defence Forces intends to continue to occupy a small number of staff officer posts at the UNDOF Mission HQ.
Defence Forces personnel deployed on United Nations endorsed peacekeeping missions in the years 2019 to date are listed below.
|
-
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024 -to date
|
|
UNTSO (Middle East)
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
15
|
|
MINURSO (Western Sahara)
|
9
|
7
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
MONUSCO (Democratic Rep Congo)
|
12
|
9
|
9
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
|
UNIFIL HQ (Lebanon)
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
15
|
8
|
|
UNIFIL Infantry Battalion (Lebanon)
|
1023
|
1020
|
1023
|
1023
|
995
|
314
|
|
UNIFIL Sector West HQ (Lebanon)
|
24
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
4
|
|
UNDOF Infantry Group (Golan Heights)
|
390
|
390
|
390
|
390
|
393
|
132
|
|
UNDOF HQ (Golan Heights)
|
16
|
18
|
16
|
14
|
12
|
6
|
|
UNMAS
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
|
MINUSMA (Mali)
|
14
|
40
|
40
|
40
|
0
|
0
|
|
EUFOR (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
19
|
11
|
6
|
|
EUTM Mali
|
59
|
60
|
60
|
54
|
22
|
0
|
|
Operations HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Sophia HQ)
|
13
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Operations HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Irini HQ
|
0
|
3
|
9
|
9
|
13
|
4
|
|
KFOR HQ
|
37
|
36
|
36
|
36
|
38
|
13
|
|
Total
|
1647
|
1651
|
1649
|
1641
|
1531
|
503
|
