Islamists claim UN Golan Heights Fijians being freed
- 10 years ago
According to Arabic media sources, 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers who were overwhelmed on the Golan Heights two weeks ago by the Nusra Front group operating in Syria, have been released.
The Nusra Front is al-Qaeda affiliated, and posted a video of its captives online on Wednesday.
“It’s Tuesday the 9th of September 2014. I would like to mention to you that it is a very happy day. We have been informed that we will be released soon and we are all very happy to be going home,” said one of the captives on the video.
It is not the first time the UN peacekeepers on Syria’s border with Israel have been sucked into the Syrian crisis. Seventy Philippino peacekeepers managed to avoid capture earlier this month, before the Fijians were taken, after Islamic militants entered the Golan Heights.
Fiji’s army leader, Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga added he had word from the UN in New York that it had been informed the Nusra Front would be releasing his men “in the next few days”.
The Nusra Front is al-Qaeda affiliated, and posted a video of its captives online on Wednesday.
“It’s Tuesday the 9th of September 2014. I would like to mention to you that it is a very happy day. We have been informed that we will be released soon and we are all very happy to be going home,” said one of the captives on the video.
It is not the first time the UN peacekeepers on Syria’s border with Israel have been sucked into the Syrian crisis. Seventy Philippino peacekeepers managed to avoid capture earlier this month, before the Fijians were taken, after Islamic militants entered the Golan Heights.
Fiji’s army leader, Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga added he had word from the UN in New York that it had been informed the Nusra Front would be releasing his men “in the next few days”.