LAST UPDATE | 2 Jul
THE IRISH MILITARY are preparing contingency plans to evacuate some of their troops from the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon if the need arises as Israel threatens an invasion, the Tánaiste has said.
Micheál Martin, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, was speaking at the Joint Defence and Foreign Affairs Oireachtas committee earlier today.
He said such is the grave security situation that planning is advancing to find a way to move the troops out if the conditions deteriorate further. He said the that the decision will ultimately rest with the United Nations and the command of UNIFIL, which is the international peacekeeping mission in the area.
Security sources have told The Journal that in general the plan would be to move a majority of the troops to Cyprus. A small team would remain behind to maintain a presence.
Martin said that Hezbollah, an Iranian backed militant group in South Lebanon, are a “destabilising power” in the region. He said they have been trading blows with the Israelis since the Hamas attack on 7 October last and through the Israeli war on Gaza.
There has been widespread bombing and shelling in South Lebanon by Israeli forces including near to Irish bases.
“I visited our troops in UNIFIL last month to show Government and the Irish people’s support and appreciation for the role our troops carry out in South Lebanon, and saw for myself while there, some of the dangers under which they operate while carrying out their Mission.
“I am and remain deeply concerned by rising tensions in that area. The potential for further regional escalation remains high, and a widening of this conflict would have devastating consequences for all in the region, most particularly those living in proximity to the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon,” he said.
Martin called on “all parties” to work on de-escalating the tension in the area and he also called for a “sustainable humanitarian ceasefire” as well as the release of all hostages. He added that “accountability for all civilian deaths” was also needed.
“In this unstable climate in which our Defence Forces personnel are serving, the health and safety of these personnel remains of paramount concern for both myself and for the Government at this time,” he added.
The Tánaiste explained that he is having regular briefings with the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Lt Gen Sean Clancy.
He said that regular threat assessments are carried out by the Irish team in South Lebanon to keep decision makers informed on what may unfold.
Martin noted the importance of the pre-deployment training undertaken by the soldiers and that a further platoon of 33 Irish troops will go to support their 350 colleagues there later this month.
“In terms of any contingency planning around this deployment given the instability in the region, I would stress that planning of this nature is part and parcel of all UN and national operational deployments.
“Given the ongoing security issues in this region, contingency planning is ongoing should the need for evacuation arise.
“I would add however that the Government remains committed to our Missions in the Middle East, including UNIFIL, and the Government has no plans to evacuate our personnel currently.
“As members will be aware however, the situation remains highly fluid, and is one that we are continuing to keep a close eye on,” he added
Sources said in May that there was no change to the posture of Irish troops in South Lebanon – that may change should Israeli troops cross the Blue Line to occupy the area.
It is understood that the assessment of the capability of Hezbollah by security analysts is that it is a hugely capable force, spread across the area.
However they had moved their elite units north but continued to launch salvos of rockets into Israel from locations neat Irish bases and from near the city of Tyre.
This is not just a south Lebanon issue with the Becca Valley, on the border with the Syrian Golan region, scene to activities by Hezbollah also. Israel has hit targets inside Syria also.
Last week the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs issued a warning and reiterated advice for people to leave Lebanon. They were joined by similar advice by the Governments of Canada, Netherlands and Germany.
Sources familiar with the security situation in South Lebanon said that a huge number of the population there has fled in anticipation of an Israeli ground offensive.
The Journal has travelled and reported from South Lebanon on a number of occasions. It is a hugely complex and dangerous environment. There are close to 350 Irish soldiers based in the area – Ireland has announced that it has increased its establishment by 33.
Some 47 Irish soldiers have been killed while serving in the UNIFIL mission – they have been killed by fire from disparate militant groups such as Hezbollah but also by members of a Christian militia that is aligned with Israel during the infamous At Tiri incident in 1980.
The most recent loss of life was Private Sean Rooney who was killed in December 2022 by alleged Hezbollah members.
Martin said during the committee meeting that the lack of justice was “deeply unsatisfactory” in the case of an accused man.
Defence Forces soldiers are stationed at three locations in South Lebanon – they patrol a ceasefire measure known as the Blue Line which divides Lebanon and northern Israel.
Their main base is Camp Shamrock located on a hillside near the town of At Tiri. They also have a presence on the Mediterranean coast in the UNIFIL Headquarters at Naqoura and an outpost dubbed UNP 6-52 on the blueline overlooking the Israeli town of Avivim.
An Irish Defence Forces spokesperson said that they wish to reassure the public” that the personnel stationed in Lebanon are “safe and continue to conduct essential peacekeeping operations”.
The military said they are “closely monitoring all developments, both political and in respect of the security in the wider theatre of interest that may impact on the situation in South Lebanon”.
“Operations, with some operational restrictions as determined by UNIFIL HQ, continue in the theatre of operations, and Irish personnel continue to conduct framework activities within the IRISHPOLBATT Area of Operations (AO),” he said.
The spokesperson said the training of troops coupled with safety measures in place in Lebanon are designed to keep them safe.
“These measures are continually reviewed and enhanced as necessary to address any emerging threats. We remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding our troops, ensuring they are well protected and able to perform their duties effectively.
“We will continue to work diligently alongside our international partners, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, to fulfil our mandate and contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all.
“Our presence in Lebanon is a testament to our unwavering dedication to international peace and security. We acknowledge the complexities of the region and are committed to maintaining our role in fostering a stable and peaceful environment,” the spokesperson added.
Elsewhere today, Martin was given approval by Cabinet to move ahead with legislation to bring about a complete reimagining of the command and control system for the Irish Defence Forces.
The minister sought the go ahead at this morning’s meeting for an amendment to legislation to bring about the creation of the Chief of Defence (CHOD).
The CHOD was a key recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces – a study two years ago which examined major issues with the effectiveness of the Irish military.
The CHOD would replace the current Chief of Staff role. The Minister for Defence will delegate command to the CHOD as the head of the Defence Forces.
The post would mirror structures in other militaries across the world and there would be a head of the individual services such as Head of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
Speaking at an event in Dublin today newly-appointed Minister for Finance Jack Chambers confirmed the move had been given approval by ministers.
“The Tánaiste received approval today of changes in the wider structure in terms of command and control within the Defence Forces.
“I think that’s one of a number of measures which would be required in the context of the wider transformation programme for the Irish Defence Forces.”
Responding to last week’s revelation that there are 68 members of the Defence Forces who have been convicted or currently before the courts on a range of criminal offences, Chambers expressed shock at the number, echoing language used by other ministers by saying the government has a “zero tolerance” approach towards sexual or gender-based violence.
“I want to thank many of the women who have spoken out and have shone light on what they have been subjected to. We all have been shocked by some of the violence we have seen in public coverage in the recent days,” Chambers said.
Earlier in the day Minister for Justice Helen McEntee told reporters on her way into the Cabinet that “irrespective of who you are or where you work, we will not tolerate any form of domestic or sexual violence” and “the same needs to happen in the Defence Forces”.
Their comments came in the backdrop of the Natasha O’Brien case where Cathal Crotty, a serving Irish soldier, who beat her unconscious had walked free from a court after getting a fully suspended sentence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed the three-year suspended sentence handed down to soldier Crotty for “undue leniency”.
- With reporting from Ayush Pandey
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