Secretary-General ‘Deeply Concerned’ as Convoy of United Nations

Disengagement Observer Force Comes under Fire in Syria

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Today, a United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) convoy carrying troops scheduled to rotate out of the mission came under gunfire close to the Damascus International Airport.  The convoy came under fire in an area of Damascus, where military operations between the Syrian armed forces and armed members of the opposition were taking place.  Preliminary information received from UNDOF indicates that at least four UNDOF personnel were injured as a result of the gunfire.  Finally, all UNDOF personnel from the convoy proceeded to Damascus International Airport.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the evolution of the conflict in Syria.  As today’s incident illustrates, the ongoing clashes between the Syrian armed forces and the armed members of the opposition affect UNDOF’s operations and pose a serious risk to United Nations personnel on the ground.  Safety and security of United Nations personnel is of the highest priority for the United Nations.

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For information media • not an official record