43 UN peacekeepers in Golan Heights seized by militants
Forty-three United Nations peacekeepers have been captured by armed militant forces in Golan Heights, a UN spokesperson said on Thursday. Islamist militants have been engaged in clashes with the Syrian military.
“During a period of increased fighting beginning yesterday between armed elements and Syrian Arab Armed Forces within the area of separation in the Golan Heights, 43 peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) were detained early this morning by an armed group in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah,” the U.N. press office said in a statement.
Al Qunaytirah is located some 70km southwest of Damascus.
A further 81 UN peacekeepers trapped in their positions near al-Ruwayhina and Burayqa.
