UN: Investigation into attack on Indonesian personnel in UNIFIL to be completed soon

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Nations (UN) has confirmed that the investigation into the attack that resulted in the deaths of three Indonesian personnel in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is underway, with results to be announced in the near future.

UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed that attacks on UNIFIL peacekeeping troops are unacceptable and must be held accountable.

“The investigation is ongoing and, despite the challenging situation, we are confident in providing the latest information regarding its results soon,” Dujarric said during a press conference at UN Headquarters on Wednesday (1/4) local time, according to an official statement monitored in Jakarta on Thursday.

He acknowledged that although the process takes time, technical experts are currently examining physical evidence at the incident site and communicating with relevant parties.

Dujarric also mentioned that the investigators’ efforts to reach the incident site promptly were somewhat hindered by the need to de-escalate tensions with relevant parties.

Nevertheless, he assured that the UN remains committed to obtaining the true facts about the incident.

UN Deputy Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix emphasised that his office continues to monitor the situation on the ground to ensure the safety and security of personnel, Dujarric added.

This is increasingly important given UNIFIL personnel’s reports of “a large explosion and demolition in the village of Naqoura near the UNIFIL headquarters” on 1 April.

UNIFIL also recorded 62 airspace violations on 31 March amid high Zionist Israeli military activity and rocket launches towards Israel and Zionist personnel in Lebanon, he said.

Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian UNIFIL contingent’s position in Adchit Al Qusayr, southern Lebanon, on Sunday (29/3).

The following day on Monday (30/3), Indonesia lost two more personnel in UNIFIL when the convoy they were escorting was attacked. The two personnel killed in that attack were Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan.