The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has directed Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-13 personnel in Lebanon to tighten security measures and maintain heightened vigilance following a recent airstrike that left two Malaysian peacekeepers lightly injured.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the instruction was issued to ensure the safety of Malaysian troops currently deployed in the conflict zone under United Nations peacekeeping operations.
He said the injuries sustained by the personnel were caused by bomb splinters landing near their position, and not from a direct attack in the Haris area of southern Lebanon.
“All injured personnel received immediate medical attention from the on-site medical team, and their condition is now stable,” he said after officiating the Jiwa Murni Madani Programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Johor Kampung.
Mohamed Khaled added that Malaysian peacekeepers had been advised to take all necessary precautionary steps given the unpredictable security situation on the ground.
He also noted that the United Nations Security Council is currently reviewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which is due to expire in December.
According to him, Malaysia is prepared to consider continuing its participation if the UN decides to extend peacekeeping operations in the region, although the current plan is to repatriate all MALBATT personnel by the end of the year.
He further expressed relief that no fatalities involving Malaysian peacekeepers have been recorded so far, unlike incidents involving forces from other countries deployed in similar conflict zones.
