High ranking UN peacekeeper injured in attack on convoy in Beirut - no Irish involved in incident

LAST UPDATE | 14 Feb

A UNITED NATIONS peacekeeper has been injured in an attack on a UN convoy near Beirut Airport – no Irish soldiers are believed to have been involved in the incident.

Videos circulating online show a burning UN liveried vehicle – a UNIFIL spokeswoman has confirmed that it was part of a convoy of the deputy force commander Major General Chok Bahadur Dhakal who was returning home having finished his tour of duty.

Other videos show masked men carrying yellow Hezbollah flags beating uniformed soldiers and someone in plain clothes as they run from the scene.

Sources have said that a spontaneous protest had erupted near the airport this evening at around 6pm Irish time. The convoy was moving on the road when it was stopped and attacked.  

UNIFIL in a statement confirmed the incident and that a senior officer, who was returning home, was injured. 

“This evening a UNIFIL convoy taking peacekeepers to Beirut airport was violently attacked, and a vehicle was set on fire. UNIFIL’s outgoing Deputy Force Commander, who was returning home after ending his mission, was injured.

“We are shocked by this outrageous attack on peacekeepers who have been serving to restore security and stability to south Lebanon during a difficult time.

“Attacks on peacekeepers are flagrant violations of international law and may amount to war crimes. We demand a full and immediate investigation by Lebanese authorities and for all perpetrators to be brought to justice.

“Peacekeepers continue to work to restore security and stability in south Lebanon in accordance with our mandate under Security Council resolution 1701,” the statement read. 

A Defence Forces spokesman said that all Irish personnel are safe and accounted for this evening.

“The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed to Lebanon are well and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures continue be to observed.

“We echo UNIFIL’s condemnation of these attacks and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety & security of peacekeepers. We wish the Deputy Force Commander injured in the attack today, a swift recovery.

“We continue to work alongside our fellow peacekeepers to work to restore security and stability in south Lebanon in accordance with our mandate under Security Council resolution 1701,” a spokesman said. 

It is understood Tánaiste Simon Harris has been briefed by the Irish Defence Forces tonight.

There are more than 300 Irish soldier based at three locations in the south of the country on peacekeeping duty.  

With additional reporting Christina Finn.