Press release
Defence Forces’ withdrawal from United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
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Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, today informed the government of his decision to effectively withdraw the Defence Forces’ contribution to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights. The date of their withdrawal will now be discussed with the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.
The decision follows the conclusion of an assessment of the sustainability of the Defence Forces’ overseas commitments. As a result of this assessment and on the basis of military advice, the decision has been taken to withdraw the Infantry Group, with approximately 130 Defence Force personnel.
The decision will ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025 as well as allowing the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions. The withdrawal of troops from UNDOF will also relieve ongoing challenges in respect of the filling of certain specialist roles in overseas deployments.
Speaking after today’s government meeting, the Tánaiste said:
"Our Peacekeeping commitments and overseas commitments are a priority for the Defence Forces and for Government. The Defence Forces keep the sustainability of these overseas commitments under regular review. At the time the government approved our participation in the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025, I indicated that this decision would require a reassessment of the Defence Forces’ current overseas commitments and the likely withdrawal of personnel and equipment from an existing overseas mission. That assessment has now been completed, and the military advice provided to me was that the Defence Forces’ should reduce our commitments with UNDOF in preparation for our participation in the EU Battlegroup.”
The Tánaiste also confirmed that the Defence Forces will engage with the United Nations with a view to maintaining some or all of the staff posts currently occupied by DF personnel in UNDOF Headquarters and will explore the possibility of providing a modest increase in our troop contribution to UNIFIL.
The Defence Forces Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York will engage directly with the UN to ensure that the Defence Forces’ withdrawal will be managed in such a way as not to compromise the integrity of the mission and to minimise any necessary disruption caused by the withdrawal.
The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established on 31 May 1974 by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 350 (1974), following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights in May 1974. UNDOF supervises the implementation of the Disengagement Agreement, maintaining an area of separation between the forces which is over 75 kilometres long.
Ireland commenced participation in UNDOF on 22 June 2013, when a number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to UNDOF Headquarters on the Golan Heights in Syria at the request of the United Nations. A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed to the mission as the Force Reserve Company in September 2013 following a further request from the UN after the withdrawal of a major Austrian troop contingent.
The 66th Infantry Group, which comprises approximately 130 Defence Force personnel, are currently based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. They are due to return home in April and will be replaced by the 67th Infantry Group.
The role of the Irish Infantry Group includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with the on-going operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility.