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IRISH TROOPS ON a UN peace-keeping mission are safe but on high alert after Al Qaeda-linked Syrian rebels captured a border crossing into the Golan Heights yesterday.
Three Irish soldiers are stationed close to the frontier crossing between Syria and the Israeli-owned Golan Heights, which was captured by the Islamist Al-Nusra Front after heavy fighting with Syrian government forces.
The Irish troops are part of a 130-strong UN Disengagement Observation Force located 20 km from the site of yesterday’s fighting.
A Defence Forces spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that the Irish troops were currently on high alert, but safe.
There have been a number of engagements between armed elements in the Golan Heights in the last 24 hours.
Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed to the UN Disengagement Observation Forces (UNDOF) with the 44th Infantry Group remain on high alert and all Defence Forces personnel and equipment remain safe and accounted for.
The 44th Infantry Group continue to monitor the situation.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an array of rebel fighters, including from the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, took the crossing after heavy fighting.
At least 20 Syrian soldiers and an unknown number of rebels were killed.
It said clashes also raged in the towns of Jaba, Tal Kroum and Rawadi in Quneitra province.
The fighting on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights frontier spilled over into Israel, with errant fire wounding an army officer and Israeli civilian, Israel’s military said.
In response, the Israeli Defence Forces said they attacked Syrian military positions in the Golan Heights.
IDF / TwitterEarlier today, an IDF officer was moderately injured as a result of errant fire from Syria. The officer was evacuated for medical treatment.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 27, 2014
IDF / TwitterEarlier today, fire from Syria injured an IDF officer. In response, we struck 2 Syrian military positions in the Golan Heights.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 27, 2014
IDF / TwitterA short while ago, an Israeli civilian was lightly injured as a result of errant fire from the internal fighting in Syria.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 27, 2014
From the Israeli side of the de facto border, large clouds of smoke could be seen, as gunfire and explosions sounded in the distance. Israeli soldiers observed the fighting.
Israel says it holds the Syrian government responsible for any violence that emanates from its territory.
Israel captured the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau overlooking northern Israel, from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war.
Contains reporting by Associated Press.
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Will management be working a seven day roster? I doubt that very much.
@John Fagan: they already are.
@John Fagan: well if Irish Rail, Dublin Bus already do this – I don’t see why something as important as hospitals don’t do it. Many a bed was taken up by patients who couldn’t go home because the doctor / consultant wasn’t working week ends !
We havent enough staff to cover 5 days. Solution: make them cover 7 days?
BTW staff always do emergency cover
HSE staff are already burnt out. EDs are overflowing with overcrowding normally seen at the height of winter not late Spring/early Summer. I’m not sure what the answer is but it’s not this
@S: More home based services for the elderly would be a start. Too many elderly people who are not sick per se, clogging up hospital beds. Pay the carers a decent wage and free up the hospital system. The country never had so much money at its disposal so I can’t see the problem with it.
@Mary Walshe: completely agree with you on that. Plus once in the hospitals the medical team order scans and tests that are nearly always not needed, are invasive, uncomfortable, scary and can cause more problems than they can diagnose (eg kidney damage from dye).
Would it not be easier for the govt/HSE to make it illegal for anyone to get sick/have an accident/ have a heart attack/ deliver a baby between Friday afternoon & Monday morning ???
Because it makes sense in theory. The reality will be a tricky one.
Try making an appointment with your GP say for a dislocated elbow. I was given a 9 day away appointment. 9 days!
Told me to go to a hospital if i want to be seen quickly. I asked why its takes so long to get an appointment, her reply : covid.
This country is ruined by FFG, ruined.
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