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Fiji Government Says Its Golan Peacekeepers Will Be Released Soon Fiji Government Says Its Golan Heights Peacekeepers Will Be Released Soon
(about 1 hour later)
Fiji said Wednesday that its 45-member United Nations peacekeeping contingent in the Golan Heights, seized by the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda nearly two weeks ago, would be released soon.Fiji said Wednesday that its 45-member United Nations peacekeeping contingent in the Golan Heights, seized by the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda nearly two weeks ago, would be released soon.
The assertion was contained in a cryptic statement posted on the Fiji Ministry of Information’s Facebook page, with no indication of precisely when the peacekeepers would be freed, or where. “News Update: Fijian troops will soon be released. More details to follow,” according to the posting, which was later removed without explanation. The assertion was contained in a cryptic statement posted on the Fiji Ministry of Information’s Facebook page, with no indication of precisely when the peacekeepers would be freed, or where. “News Update: Fijian troops will soon be released. More details to follow,” said the posting, which was later removed without explanation.
Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, said he had no information about the Fijian government’s assertion. “Nothing new to report,” he said. Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said he had no information about the Fijian government’s assertion. “Nothing new to report,” he said.
But a Fijian brigadier general, Mosese Tikoitoga, told The Associated Press that Fiji had received word from United Nations headquarters in New York that the Nusra Front would release the men in the coming days without any conditions or demands. He did not provide a timetable or any other specifics.But a Fijian brigadier general, Mosese Tikoitoga, told The Associated Press that Fiji had received word from United Nations headquarters in New York that the Nusra Front would release the men in the coming days without any conditions or demands. He did not provide a timetable or any other specifics.
The Nusra Front, the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, captured the peacekeepers on Aug. 28. The group described the action as retaliation for what it called the failure of the United Nations to help the people of Syria in that country’s civil war, which is now three and a half years old and has left more than 190,000 people dead.The Nusra Front, the Syrian affiliate of Al Qaeda, captured the peacekeepers on Aug. 28. The group described the action as retaliation for what it called the failure of the United Nations to help the people of Syria in that country’s civil war, which is now three and a half years old and has left more than 190,000 people dead.
The Nusra Front confirmed it held the peacekeepers by releasing a statement, two days after the Fijians disappeared, that included a photo of them as a group as well as their identification cards. The statement said they were being treated well and given food and medical care, but it did not specify any conditions for their release.The Nusra Front confirmed it held the peacekeepers by releasing a statement, two days after the Fijians disappeared, that included a photo of them as a group as well as their identification cards. The statement said they were being treated well and given food and medical care, but it did not specify any conditions for their release.
The Fijians are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, a 1,223-member peacekeeping operation that has monitored the demarcation line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 1974.The Fijians are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, a 1,223-member peacekeeping operation that has monitored the demarcation line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights since 1974.
India, Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands and the Philippines have also contributed troops to the operation.India, Ireland, Nepal, the Netherlands and the Philippines have also contributed troops to the operation.
The Golan Heights area had been relatively quiet for four decades. But in recent months, it has been increasingly entangled in the Syrian war, as clashes between insurgents and loyalists to President Bashar al-Assad have spilled over. The Golan Heights area had been relatively quiet for four decades. But in recent months, it has become increasingly entangled in the Syrian war, as clashes between insurgents and loyalists to President Bashar al-Assad have spilled over.
Israel, which remains technically at war with Syria, has strengthened its military presence in the area. The Philippines contingent was attacked by Syrian insurgents on Aug. 30.Israel, which remains technically at war with Syria, has strengthened its military presence in the area. The Philippines contingent was attacked by Syrian insurgents on Aug. 30.