The UN Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) on the Golan Heights was established in 1974 with a mandate to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria following the so called Yom Kippur war. Last year Irish troops deployed a mechanised infantry company there following the Austrian and Croatian decision to withdraw. The current operational environment has been described as extremely challenging, given the spillover of violence from the civil war taking place in Syria.
Undof has been forced to abandon a number of posts and reduce its mobile patrols. While the situation on the Israeli occupied Golan has been reasonably normal and the UN has been able to carry out the required military inspections, similar activities on the Syrian side are suspended. The level of violence has escalated and there have been air strikes by Syrian forces. In addition, all sides have used heavy weapons and somewhat ominously, black flags associated with the Islamic State fighters have appeared.
There have been calls for a change in the mandate. However, a new mandate will not necessarily have any impact on the situation on the ground. A mandate is not a magic wand that will change how the Syrian army or opposition groups operate in the area.
There have also been calls for the Irish contingent to withdraw or delay the forthcoming rotation of Irish troops. Syria needs to co-operate more with the UN forces and fulfil the terms of its treaty with Israel. Improvised explosive devices planted by opposition groups remain a major threat. However, Syria blocked efforts by Ireland to equip itself with the requisite equipment to neutralise this threat. This is unacceptable.
In addition to taking UN forces hostage, armed groups have been tailing UN patrols for some time knowing that Syrian government forces are not supposed to fire on UN personnel. Syrian forces have deployed heavy weapons extremely close to UN positions. Such actions increase the risk of the UN suffering collateral damage during clashes. The main problem with the armed groups is their disparate nature. An apparent agreement with one group may not translate into any meaningful change on the ground. This situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.
Conditions are dangerous, but Irish forces have good armoured protection and mobility capabilities. They have experience in similar roles in other conflict zones. Their equipment and training is acknowledged to be of a high standard and Ireland was specifically requested to contribute to this mission. Their role as a Quick Reaction Force allowed them play a crucial role in recent days in securing the safety of their Filipino colleagues.
If Ireland withdraws, this will most likely precipitate an end to the operation. The UN and most of the world has effectively abandoned the Syrian population to its fate. We should not be a part of anything that contributes to terminating this UN presence in a zone of considerable strategic importance.
Ireland already has a reputation for being risk averse in term of UN missions. We withdrew prematurely from the UN mission to Chad.
But Irish forces have endured worse in Lebanon and elsewhere in the past. The Defence Forces need the training and experience that comes with missions such as this, and UN operations are a core mission of the Defence Forces and an important part of Irish foreign policy. Ultimately and appropriately, whether to remain or withdraw will be a government decision.
Calls to delay the forthcoming deployment of a fresh Irish contingent of ‘raw and inexperienced’ troops are ill informed. Many of those travelling to the Golan in the weeks ahead will have multiple UN missions completed already and they are all trained and ready for duty.
In the meantime the UN must adapt the posture and operation of the mission. The strength of the force should be increased and self defence capability and measures enhanced as a matter of urgency. Although there are significant tensions in the Security Council between the US and Russia, since 2012 there has been a surprising degree of consensus on the merits of maintaining the UN observer force on the Golan and the adverse security implications of any UN withdrawal.
However, this does not seem to have translated into support on the ground. Undof is a traditional peacekeeping mission under Chapter 6 of the UN Charter. Giving it a so-called robust mandate to deal with the current crisis is also unwarranted. Irish forces have already demonstrated that they are willing and able to use force to defend themselves and their colleagues. Anything more risks UN forces becoming embroiled in the bitter civil war taking place. Any participation by UN in peace operations means accepting a significant level of risk. Ireland was aware of this at the outset and now that the going is tough, we should not renege on the commitment made.
Prof Ray Murphy of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway has served with the Defence Forces as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon and directs the Masters in Peace Operations and Humanitarian Law at NUI Galway.