Indian Army’s Participation In

UN Peacekeeping Missions

Monthly Update

August 2011

www.usiofindia.org/cunpk.htm

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Published By

Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK)

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Contents

Ser Missions Page No

Missions in Africa

1. UNMISS (United Nation Mission in South Sudan) 04

2. MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 07

3. UNOCI (United Nations Operation in Cote D‟lvoire) 09

Missions in Middle East

4. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) 10 5. UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) 14

Missions in Asia & Pacific

6. UNMIT (United Nations Integrated Mission In Timor Leste) 19

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UNMISS (United Nation Mission in South Sudan)

General

1. Predominantly the period witnessed Relocation of elements of Force Reserve

Battalion to South Sudan and the participation of troops in Operation Kernow. The

Relocation of troops and cargo from Kadugli and Abyei to Wau/Malakal is in progress

under the aegis of Liquidation Team at Khartoum .Major portion of COE except for

ammunition has been transhipped from Kadugli to Kosti for onward movement to

Wau/Malakal.

Operational Aspects

2. FRC at Wau is equipped to undertake operations in the mission area. C Coy at

Malakal and D Coy at Wau are in the process of being relocated from Kadugli.

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Training

3. The troops are undergoing training aimed at orienting them to the operational

tasks, and preparing them for the forthcoming training validation. The Op Order, Force

Commanders Directives and specific Rules Of Engagement for the new Mission under

Chapter VII as per the new Mandate are yet to be issued.

Visit

4. Maj Gen Abhijeet Guha, DMILAD. Maj Gen A Guha visited the FRC at Juba on 10 Aug 2011. He had also visited FRC Wau on 10 Aug 2011. 5. Force Cdr, Lt Gen Moses Obi. On 16 Aug 2011 Force Cdr, Lt Gen Moses Obi visited INDBATT sector at Malakkal. In his address to the troops a strength of 02 Officers, 02 JCOs and 10 OR of FRC Malakal attended. Maj Gen Moses Obi, appreciated the members of UNMISS for their cooperation for peacekeeping in Sudan.

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Battalion Activities 6. Independence Day Celebrations. The 65th Independence day was celebrated at the Battalion HQ, Wau and Juba locations. An approximate strength of 60 officers/civilian UN personnel attended the ceremony at Wau. The troops at Juba also attended Flag Hoisting at Indian Consulate of South Sudan. 7. Visit of Battalion Commander to FRC Juba and Malakkal. The Force Reserve Battalion Commander, visited FRC locations of Juba and Malakkal from 23 Aug to 27 Aug 11. While at Juba the CO visited the Force HQ to discuss the issues of ongoing operations and Relocation of troops and cargo from Kadugli and Abyei.

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MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

1. INDIAN PEACEKEEPERS BUILD SCHOOL FOR DEAF AND DUMB IN KIWANJA

a. Indian Peacekeepers build school for deaf & dumb in Kiwanja. As a farewell gift to the people of Rutshuru territory in North Kivu Province, the Indian Infantry Battalion based in Kiwanja, some 70 kilometers North of Goma, offered a school block to the deaf and dumb that will serve 250 pupils.

b. The school was, through personal contributions, financed and constructed by the Indian Battalion that will soon be departing the Democratic Republic of Congo after serving their term as peacekeepers in the country. They inaugurated the building on 28 July 2011.

2. THE OPERATION ‘SILENT VALLEY’ IN WALIKALE TERRITORY, NORTH

KIVU: A SUCCESS

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a. A military operation named „Silent Valley‟ launched on 17 August in Goma

by MONUSCO Blue Helmets has ensured within few days the return of several

dozens of displaced persons in their localities of origin, in particular at Mutongo

and Lukweti in Walikale territory, in the North Kivu province.

b. At the heart of displacement of civilians, clashes between cadres from Mai

Mai Tcheka militia and the one of Janvier, who were rivaling the control of that

part of territory long ago controlled by rebels from the Democratic Forces for

Liberation of Rwandan (FDLR).

3. Aid to Civil Society

a. On the morning of 04 Aug the news of a culvert getting damaged was reported at KIBRIZI village in the Area of Responsibility of INDBATT-4. The damaged culvert had stalled all the traffic on the only existing road connecting RWINDI-KIBRIZI-KIRIMA KASHALIRA-NYANZALE. This road is the life line not only of residents but is also the link used extensively by UN agencies and other NGOs to go to NYANZALE. b. The prompt action by INDBATT-4 ensured unhindered movement of agricultural produce, residents and labourers for their daily routine work.

4. OPERATION SILENT VALLEY : HELIBORNE OPERATION IN GENERAL AREA MUTONGO BY NORTH KIVU BRIGADE

a. North Kivu Brigade launched a second Heliborne Operation comprising of troops from HQ North Kivu Brigade and DDRRR representatives, This operation aimed to restore peace through demonstration of its resolve to do all that was possible in its power to ensure protection of civilians.

b. The MONUSCO element interacted with local population and sensitised them of the measures being taken by MONUSCO for bringing back the displaced population in to abandoned villages. It was informed that about 100 people have return to Mutongo from the IDP Camps. This helped build confidence of locals in MONUSCO‟s ability to reach out to fulfill its mandate, regardless of the risks involved.

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UNOCI (United Nations Operation in Cote D’lvoire)

1. On 16 August 2011 United Nations peacekeepers have helped Côte d'Ivoire

repair and renovate the prison in Abidjan, the country‟s biggest city, after it was emptied

in recent post-electoral violence, part of a broader effort to re-establish the rule of law.

2. UNOCI took an active part in the renovations, helping to get the administration

buildings up and running and providing computers and registers as the country recovers

from the violence spawned by former president Laurent Gbagbo‟s abortive effort to stay

in power despite his UN-certified election defeat last November to opposition leader

Alassane Ouattara.

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UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)

General

1. The month witnessed widespread demonstrations in Syria due to political

uncertainty. Political pressure is also brewing up in the region due to the upcoming

Palestinian statehood vote at UN scheduled in Sep 2011. Diplomatic relations between

Turkey and Israel too have been withdrawn in wake of the Gaza aid flotilla raid.

2. INDBATT – XIII has taken extra security measures in view of the impending

indictment of STL (Special Tribunal for Lebanon) and the continuing political uncertainty

in the region. Extensive operational activities were undertaken by INDBATT-XIII to

effectively dominate its AO and ensure the observance of UNSCR-1701.

Political

3. PM Meets UNSCOL, Urges UN to End Israeli Violations. Prime Minister

Najib Mikati expressed fear over the ongoing Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty,

last of which was the Wazzani incident, urging the United Nations to demand Israel to

implement UN Security Council resolution 1701. Mikati informed the UN diplomat that

the Cabinet accomplished in cooperation with Parliament a draft law that identifies the

Lebanese maritime borders in order to preserve its rights. The UN will be informed

about it after its publication in the Official Gazette.

4. Syrian Tanks Bombard Hama. The Local Coordination Committees,

which represents the protesters, said that tanks had moved deep into Hama which was

undergoing heavy shelling while plumes of smoke could be seen over the city of

800,000 residents.

5. UN Condemns Violence in Syria. Russia and China have joined other

members of the United Nations Security Council in condemning the Syrian regime for

using military force in suppressing a five-month-old popular uprising. In a statement

endorsed by all 14 members with the exception of Lebanon, the Security Council urged

all sides in the conflict to stop the violence. At the United Nations, the Security Council

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condemned human rights violations and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian

authorities.

6. Renewed Concerns Over Southern Lebanon’s Security. Western

diplomatic sources warned against the seriousness of the security situation in southern

Lebanon. This warning was based on a statement attributed to the United Nations

Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, during a meeting with Prime

Minister Najib Mikati. Predicting the occurrence of incidents inside the Palestinian

refugee camps, the evolving situation in Syria has opened the door in southern Lebanon

to all possibilities, including the possibility of new Palestinian organisations involvement

in the security situation in the South.

7. Blast in Beirut Neighbourhood Kills Two; Circumstances Unclear. Two people were killed when a bomb exploded in the area of Antelias in circumstances that remain unclear amidst conflicting reports on how and why and who was the target. The two were reportedly trying to plant the bomb under the parked vehicle of a Lebanese judge in a parking lot in Antelias when it mistakenly went off. The men were identified as Hassan Nayef Nassar and Ihsan Ali Diya.

8. Turkey Denies Plan to Establish Buffer Zone on Syrian Border. Turkey's

defence minister has said the country did not plan to create a military buffer zone on its

southern border with Syria.

9. FM Mansour : Syria’s Stability Results in Stability in Lebanon. Foreign

Affairs Minister Mansour stressed that Lebanon is concerned with the developments

taking place in Syria, because “Syria‟s stability results in stability in Lebanon.” “Any

repercussions taking place on the Syrian security arena will be reflected on the

Lebanese one," adding that Lebanon is keen on working for the stability and peace of

Syria.

10. Russia, China Boycott Syria Sanction Talks at UN Security Council. Russia and China have boycotted United Nations Security Council talks on a proposal to impose sanctions on Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. Their absence at the talks signalled the tough negotiations ahead on the move to act against Assad's deadly crackdown on opposition protests. Brazil, India and South Africa, non-permanent members of the council, are also believed to have strong reservations about sanctions. Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and the United States - the main backers of the sanctions campaign - hope to sway at least one of the three doubters from the emerging powers. Their draft resolution calls for sanctions against Assad, his entourage and companies that fund the Syrian government and a total arms embargo.

IDF/Israel

11. Israeli Drones to France Call off Rockets Deal with Lebanon. The issue

of terminating the agreement with Lebanon on the provision of anti-tank rocket

launchers is still under debate, after the discovery of new details and backdrops on this

controversial decision.

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12. Sources: Two Israeli Warships Crossed Suez Canal to Eilat. Two Israeli

warships crossed the Canal on their way to the Israeli city of Eilat in the Red Sea.” The

sources added that “the Suez Canal authority took extreme measures when the two

vessels were crossing, whereas it stopped any movement on both banks of the canal as

well as the passage of vehicles on the bridge surmounting it.”

13. Israel Estimates $55 Billion Revenues From Offshore Gas Fields.

For the first time since the completion of studies about the Israeli government‟s profit

from the discovery of Tamar and Levitan gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea, Israel

announced that the state revenues would be $192 billion Shekels (more than 55 billion

dollars). The extraction of gas and oil from the two fields will generate 192.5 billion

Shekels to the treasury of the Jewish State in the expected life span which will end in

the year 2043.

14. Israeli Military Exercises in Shebaa Farms. The Israelis carried out

military exercises. The exercises covered Kfar Shouba Hills, Shebaa Farms, and the

Syrian Golan Heights and stopped. The exercises included artilleries of various calibres

and helicopters. In the morning, the Israelis brought forth several bulldozers to Ghajar-

Abbassiyeh axis at Dheira post and began raising earth mounds and fortifications

alongside the barbed fence facing sector east in south Lebanon. On the Lebanese

side, the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL units observed the works on the other side of the

border.

15. Six Killed, Tens Wounded in Three-Stage Terror Attack Near Eilat. Six

people were killed and dozens were wounded in a series of terrorist attacks on Israeli

targets approximately 20 km north of the southern city of Eilat, close to the border with

Egypt. The first attack, was a drive-by shooting targeting Egged bus 392 traveling from

Be'er Sheva to Eilat, near the Netafim junction. Ten passengers on board the bus

sustained light to moderate wounds. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) rushed to the scene

and were faced with several explosive devices that were detonated alongside an IDF

vehicle. Simultaneously, an anti-tank missile was fired from Egypt on a private vehicle,

and several mortar shells were also fired into Israel.

16. The Golan Wall. The Israeli forces are building a security wall in occupied

Golan Heights and are doubling the landmines in the area after exploiting the protests

during Nakba and Naksa days. Israeli sources said that the Israeli government has

almost completed the establishment of the wall in that area in an attempt to thwart any

violation of the separation line with the upcoming announcement of the Palestinian

State at the United Nations in September.

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INDBATT ACTIVITIES

Meetings and Visits

17. Spanish Armed Forces Delegation (BRILIB XV) Visit to INDBATT AO. A

delegation consisting of 39 Offr‟s lead by Brig. Gen Fernando Guiterraz visited UNP

4-7C on 08 Aug 11. The delegation was a preliminary recce group of the Brigade due to

replace the existing motorized Spanish Brigade in SECEAST in Sep 2011.

18. Liaison Meeting at Halta. The company Commander UNP 4-34 &,

INDBATT S5 team, G9 staff and CA staff from the SECEAST along with Mr John (LA)

met with the Mayor of Kaferchouba and Point of Contact of Halta. The proposed QIP of

Halta, Water Reservoir was discussed by the gathering. A visit to the Project site was

also accomplished. The Mayor has said that he would make a tentative plan of the

project and forward the same to INDBATT along with the likely cost estimate.

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UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force)

General

1. During the month of Aug, the LOGBATT was involved in winding up the rotation

activities and prep to welcome the 11th rotation. The Independence Day celebration

was centre of attraction during this month.

2. The pol sit in the region also changed very rapidly as the international pressure

on Syria increased with a call for the President Assad to step down. The overall sit in

Israel also remained a matter of concern with large scale protests with in the country

regarding the high cost of living. The country also witnessed an increasing number of

terrorist attacks.

Political Situation in Middle East

3. The political situation in Middle East is deteriorating day by day. The apparent fall

of Tripoli and the end of the four decade old regime will definitely give a boost to the

ongoing protests in Syria. The region remained the main focus of the international

community and a major cause of concern because of the alleged human rights

violations by the Syrian Govt. The proposed discussions on the recognition of Palestine

in the UN Security Council in September are likely to have an adverse effect on the sit

in Israel.

Syria

4. Thousands of Syrians took to the streets across the country calling for the

downfall of President Assad keeping up the pressure on him one day after an alliance of

nations led by the United States publicly called on him for the first time to step down and

toughened the sanctions against his govt.

5. In a campaign coordination with European leaders, President Obama made the

United States govt‟s first explicit call for President Assad to leave office. Mr Obama also

announced powerful sanctions freezing all Syrian assets within American jurisdiction

and barring American citizens from any business dealings with the govt in Damascus. A

jt statement from Germany, France, Britain and European Union‟s foreign policy chief

said, President Assad has lost legitimacy as a leader and must step down.

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Anti Govt Protests in Syria

6. Despite international calls for restraint, Syria's govt pressed ahead with mil

assaults on restive locales in northern and eastern Syria, killing at least 35 people on 10

Aug.

7. Syria's fragmented opposition took steps toward forming a national council on

23 August, but serious divisions and mistrust among the members prevented them from

presenting a unified front against President Assad's regime.

8. The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has launched a new commission of inquiry

into Syria's crackdown on anti-govt protesters, including possible crimes against

humanity. The rights activists claimed that more than 2000 persons had been killed

during the past six months. By 33 votes in favour and four against and nine abstentions,

the HRC passed a resolution to "urgently dispatch an independent international

commission of inquiry, to investigate violations of international human rights law in Syria

since July 2011.

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Israel

9. Eight Israelis were killed and more than 30 were wounded in the attacks near the

tourist town of Eilat.

10. Israelis are increasingly worried about terror attacks from Sinai. The area is

quickly becoming the kind of ungoverned space that provides terrorists with their

greatest opportunities. Egypt has for decades engaged in “reckless neglect of the

Sinai.” A fence has long been planned to stop illegal immigration, but now it will need to

be built faster and to be longer and stronger.

11. Apart from external threats, Israel also witnessed wide protests internally where

thousands of Israelies continued to occupy “tent cities” to show their resentment against

the high cost of living in the country. The popular protests has compelled the govt to

consider economic reforms as the statistics showed that Israel was the costliest even

among the developed countries.

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Training

12. Demo on Fire Fighting Trg. Fire Fighting Demo for new comers was conducted

by smokey team of LOGBATT. The demo was followed by trg capsule for the new

members.

13. Driver Training. Training for drivers of the new Rotation was conducted as part

of the Indian Training Schedule. The training was followed by a drivers test conducted

by the Force HQ.

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Imp Events

14. Independence Day Celebration. INDCON celebrated 65th Independence Day

in Camp Ziouani (CZ) on 15th and 16th Aug 2011. Force Cdr along with COs of

PHILBATT, AUSBATT, HRVCON, JCON, GILO and Civ, members of Indian Embassy

witnessed this event. All guests were given a tour of Incredible India during a very

comprehensive presentation on Indian culture and heritage by INDCON offrs.

15. Three Nation Joint Cultural Function. The three contingent stationed in camp

Ziouani joined together to host a cultural extravaganza for the UN members. The unique

event had a true multinational fervour wherein mixed teams from INDCON, PHILBATT

and JCON participated and presented folk dance and music.

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UNMIT (United Nations Integrated Mission In Timor Leste)

UNPOL Officer Shazadi Gulfam (left) with Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro (centre) and UN Police

Adviser Ann-Marie Orler

1. Police officer Shahzadi Gulfam tackles difficult policing challenges with

determination and a smile. In the process, she has made the communities in her charge

safer places to live. Ms. Gulfam, currently a United Nations Police (UNPOL) Team

Leader with the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), is this year‟s recipient

of the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award. On 23 August 2011, Granted by

the UN and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), the award went to

Ms. Gulfam for her work to protect vulnerable people in several countries.