Russian Military Police Ensure UN Forces' Security At Golan Heights - Military

Russian Military Police Ensure UN Forces' Security at Golan Heights - Military

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force was able to patrol a checkpoint at the Israeli-Syrian border in the demilitarized zone at the Golan Heights, the unit's security was ensured by the Russian military police, the deputy commander of the Russian forces in Syria said Wednesday.

QUNEITRA (Syria) (Pakistan Point news / Sputnik - 05th September, 2018) The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force was able to patrol a checkpoint at the Israeli-Syrian border in the demilitarized zone at the Golan Heights, the unit's security was ensured by the Russian military police, the deputy commander of the Russian forces in Syria said Wednesday.

"We are near Quneira, where UNDOF forces are scouting the checkpoint from Syria-controlled territory to Israel-controlled territory ... The Russian flag is the guarantee of security in the entire demilitarized zone. The presence of the Russian military police guarantees security for the residents of the province of Quneitra," Lt. Gen. Sergei Kuralenko told reporters.

According to Kuralenko, the reconnaissance mission would help make checkpoint operational again. The territory in the vicinity was seized by militants when the conflict flared up in Syria, so UN forces had to enter Israel via Lebanon.

The deputy commander added that the Russian military police operations allowed to clear the demilitarized area from heavy weapons that used to be owned by the militants. However, some small arms and light weapons could still remain in the area.

"The Russian military police are continuing their work. We are continuing the joint patrolling [of the demilitarized zone] with UNDOF forces," Kuralenko said.

Israel took control of the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War of 1967, while the Israeli parliament later announced that the territory belonged to Israel. However, the United Nations urged Israel to leave the land. Some of the territory was later returned to Syria.

The UNDOF was established in 1974 to ensure that the ceasefire holds in the demilitarized zone.

In August this year, after the area was freed from terrorists, the UN mission, accompanied by the Russian military police, entered the zone from the Syrian side for the first time in years. The second patrol was carried out by the UN mission without the help of the Russian military.