Philippine Peacekeepers Rescued from Militants on Golan: UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Thirty-two UN peacekeepers were rescued from militants who fired at their post on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and trapped them for two days, the United Nations said.
Another group of 40 Philippine UN peacekeepers remain trapped by militants who reinforced their siege on Saturday with fighters who arrived in more than 20 vehicles, UN diplomatic sources told Reuters.
"As we speak more rebels in more than 20 vehicles are approaching and reinforcing the siege around Position 68," a diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity. The source added that the rebels began to arrive at 11 pm local time (2000 GMT).
The peacekeeping troops are part of UNDOF, a UN force that has monitored the disengagement zone between Israel and Syria since 1974, following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Earlier on Saturday, a Reuters cameraman spotted 11 UN armored vehicles returning to their base in Israeli-controlled territory about 12 hours after the peacekeepers came under fire at around 6 am (0300 GMT).
"All 32 Filipino personnel from this position have been extricated and are now safe," the United Nations press office said in a statement issued in New York.
"The UN peacekeepers returned fire and prevented the attackers from entering the position," it said. Officials in the Philippines said a total of 72 soldiers had been trapped.
Separately, 44 UNDOF peacekeepers from Fiji were detained by militants 8 km (5 miles) away from the Philippine troops on Thursday and remain missing.