PETALING JAYA: Personnel of the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-13 in southern Lebanon have been ordered to suspend all operational movements as a precautionary measure, in line with directives from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said security levels have also been raised for all contingents in the mission area following the current situation in southern Lebanon.
“The measures include continued compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP), strengthened implementation of the Rules of Engagement (ROE), a temporary suspension of patrol movements, enhanced force protection, and continuous situation assessments to ensure the safety of MALBATT 850-13 personnel,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (March 31).
He said all MALBATT 850-13 personnel have been confirmed safe, with their security remaining the government’s top priority.
“All assignments and movements are being carried out cautiously, based on ongoing assessments and UNIFIL operational directives,” he added.
Mohamed Khaled said the ministry is closely monitoring developments following two separate incidents within a 24-hour period involving UNIFIL peacekeepers.
He said the incidents involved a projectile explosion near Adchit Al Qusayr and an improvised explosive device (IED) blast involving the Indonesian contingent (INDOBATT), which resulted in fatalities and serious injuries.
“Malaysia stresses that any attack against peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701,” he said.
The ministry also extended its condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
He added that the government remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Malaysian personnel deployed under UNIFIL.
