Sweden will not send troops to the Golan Heights as previously suspected

Thursday, 18 July 2013
Sweden has now declined to take part in the UN force that was being built to monitors the Golan Heights.
"We have informed the UN Secretariat that we'll refrain from participating in the monitoring mission UNDOF," The Swedish foreign office said via its press service.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, according to Swedish daily, Svenska Dagbladet, appealed to Sweden to send troops to the Golan Heights in Syria. However, that may nevertheless be something that will not happen again.
Swedish armed forced
The reason to refrain from participating in the UNDOF project is that the task is much more complicated and risky today than when the mandate was established.
"The situation is fluid, unpredictable and dangerous, especially with a high risk of combatants wishing to use the area for their operations," says Sara Brandt-Hansen at the Swedish Foreign Ministry's press service.

Another reason why Sweden finds the UNDOF mandates challenging is that it includes clear restrictions on armament.
"Sweden would not be able to provide input to the equipment that we believe would be required for the safety of our personnel," says Brandt-Hansen.
Several countries have previously declined or withdrew from the peacekeeping force, including Finland.
UNDOF has been in the Golan Heights since 1974, when the armistice was signed between Israel and Syria.
by Scancomark.com Team

What do you think about this article? Suggest correction or join our network!