PETALING JAYA: Despite the explosion in Lebanon that injured six members of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt), the ongoing troop rotation exercise will proceed as scheduled, the Armed Forces confirmed.
The incident, which occurred at 7.45pm Malaysian time on Thursday while Malbatt personnel were travelling from Beirut to Marakah Camp, will not disrupt the troop rotation between Malbatt 850-11 and Malbatt 850-12.
The Armed Forces said in a statement that the second batch of 219 personnel is scheduled to depart on Sunday.
“The Armed Forces will continue with the scheduled troop change between Malbatt 850-11 and Malbatt 850-12 as set by Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon),” the statement read.
Regarding the injured soldiers, the Armed Forces confirmed that the convoy arrived safely at Marakah Camp at around 11.30pm Malaysian time.
One soldier, who had sought treatment for his injuries at Hamood Hospital, was discharged yesterday at 6.01am Malaysian time.
“Follow-up treatment for those injured will be provided by Malbatt 850 medical officers at Marakah Camp.
“They will resume normal duties once fully recovered. All affected personnel are safely back at camp,” the statement added.
The strike, which targeted a civilian vehicle, also damaged the bus carrying the Malbatt personnel.
Five members of Malbatt 850-12 suffered minor injuries, including one with a suspected closed fracture to the left arm.
One member of Malbatt 850-11 also sustained minor injuries.
Malbatt 850-12, consisting of 854 officers and personnel, is being deployed to Lebanon in stages to relieve the current Malbatt 850-11 contingent.
The first batch of 220 personnel was deployed on Wednesday, and the final group is expected to arrive by Nov 18.
Earlier, in response to concerns raised after the explosion, Armed Forces Chief Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said no modifications are needed to the individual first aid kits issued to personnel on patrol.
The kits are designed for combat situations, and he confirmed that they remain suitable for such incidents.
