.png)
Israeli forces stand guard in the disputed village of Ghajar on the northern border of Israel with Lebanon and Syria's Golan Heights on Nov. 17, 2010. On Wednesday, 21 U.N. peacekeepers monitoring the Israeli-Syrian ceasefire in this region were kidnapped by Syrians. (Dror Artzi-jinpix/AFP/Getty Images)
On a regular supply mission in Al Jamlah, Syria, on Wednesday, 21 U.N. peacekeepers were kidnapped by about 30 “armed elements of the Syrian opposition,” according to U.N. reports.
They were stopped near an observation post that had sustained damaged during combat on the weekend and had been evacuated. The peacekeepers are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire between Syria and Israel.
The U.N. Security Council demanded the unconditional release of the observers in a statement on Wednesday.
Spokespersons of the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said in an official statement: “The Secretary-General reminds all actors in Syria that UNDOF is mandated to monitor the Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. UNDOF’s freedom of movement and safety and security must be respected by all parties.”
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
