UN Secretary General condemns detainment of Fijian soldiers

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the Security Council have strongly condemned the detention of the 44 Fijian Soldiers serving in the Golan surrounded by increased fighting in the area between Syrian Government forces and armed elements.

They both have demanded their immediate release.

In a statement, Ban Ki-moon called for the immediate release of the detained peacekeepers, as well as for the immediate lifting of the restrictions on the movement of the Force.

The Security Council is calling on countries with influence to strongly convey to the armed members of the opposition in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) area of operation to immediately release the peacekeepers.

According to the United Nations, as of 31st July 2014, there are 1,223 peacekeepers from six countries which are Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, and the Philippines who are serving in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.