KUALA LUMPUR: All members of the Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11) are safe following an aggressive incident in Lebanon, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the incident occurred when the officers and personnel were travelling through an area under the jurisdiction of the Italian peacekeeping force (Italbatt).
Local Lebanese residents reportedly threw rocks at the two vehicles, causing damage during the incident.
“The Malbatt team was on Tes Road-Burj Al Qibli in Tyre, Lebanon, returning to the Marakah camp when the incident happened,” Mohamed Khaled told reporters yesterday.
“This area is not under Malbatt’s jurisdiction, and since there was a meeting taking place, it was entrusted to Italbatt. The local citizens are quite hostile towards the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).”
The video of the incident shows nearly 30 people throwing rocks at the two Malbatt vehicles. All Malaysian Battalion 850-11 (Malbatt 850-11) officers and personnel are safe following an incident involving a group of Lebanese citizens recently. Pic from social media
Mohamed Khaled noted that the aggression ceased once the citizens learned the team was from Malaysia.
“We may consider putting Malaysian flags on Malbatt vehicles from now on. We also urge all Malbatt officers and personnel to exercise greater caution going forward,” he said.
Separately, the Armed Forces acknowledged a viral video clip showing Lebanese citizens acting aggressively towards the Malbatt 850-11 convoy.
The incident occurred at 5.32pm Lebanese time (11.32pm Malaysian time) on Wednesday involving two Fitted for Radio vehicles transporting three officers and seven personnel to the Marakah camp after completing force protection duty at the Unifil base in Shama camp.
As the convoy travelled along Tes Road-Burj Al Qibli, they encountered severe traffic congestion with numerous ambulances and fire trucks in the area.
“Suddenly, there was a group of citizens acting aggressively and trying to to stop the Malbatt vehicles. Close to 30 people then threw rocks and punctured all tyres of the vehicles using sharp weapons,” the Armed Forces said.
To prevent the situation from escalating, the convoy leader ordered both vehicles to stop by the roadside and all military personnel to remain inside while waiting for assistance.
The Lebanese Armed Forces then arrived and managed to control the situation.
“They also assisted in coordinating the use of loaders to bring the vehicles and the Malbatt personnel back to Marakah camp,” it said.
All personnel arrived safely at Marakah camp around 1.39am Malaysian time with no injuries reported.
“The Malbatt 850-11 team will continue to conduct their routine duties as mandated by Unifil.
“We urge all parties not to raise speculations that could tarnish the image of the Defence Ministry, especially the Armed Forces,” it said.
