Philippines confirms its peacekeepers in standoff with Syrian rebels

World News
29-08-2014 | 04:49
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Philippines confirms its peacekeepers in standoff with Syrian rebels
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Philippines confirms its peacekeepers in standoff with Syrian rebels
The Philippines on Friday confirmed that 75 of its peacekeepers remained in a tense standoff with rebels on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. 

Military spokesman General Domingo Tutaan said that while the situation remained tense, there was no reason to believe the troops faced immediate danger.

He said the standoff developed on Thursday when rebels surrounded the Philippine "blue helmets" in two encampments, about four kilometers (2.5 miles) apart.The peacekeepers were told to give up their firearms, but refused.

Tutaan added the military leadership in the Philippines was in direct communication with the peacekeepers, adding they were "prepared, trained and capable of dealing with this situation and will take risks to fulfill our commitment to international security and peace".

In a separate incident on Thursday, 44 Fijian soldiers working as UN peacekeepers were taken captive by a militant group.

The United Nations had said initially that 43 Fijian soldiers had been detained and 81 Philippine peacekeepers had been restricted to their positions.

The developments came during a period of increased fighting between armed elements and Syrian armed forces, the UN said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement did not specify which armed group is holding the peacekeepers.

Various Syrian rebel groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, have been fighting the Syrian military near the Golan Heights.



REUTERS
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