Foreign Ministry holds Terrorist Organizations fully Responsible for the Safety of Kidnapped UN Soldiers

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ A source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said yesterday that the armed terrorist groups kidnapped 43 soldiers of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Syrian occupied Golan Heights.

The source explained that the kidnapping the 43 UN soldiers is not the first crime perpetrated by terrorist organizations against UNDOF forces, but proceeded by two kidnapping crimes.

The source added that the Syrian government carry terrorist organizations and those who stand behind them full responsibility for the safety of the kidnapped UN soldiers and demanded their immediate release.

UN confirms detention of 43 of UNDOF personnel by an armed group in the Golan Heights

For its part, the UN confirmed that an armed group detained on Thursday, at dawn, 43 UNDOF personnel.

In a statement posted on its website, the UN added that “still other 81 UNDOF personnel  can not leave their positions in the surrounding of Rouhenieh and Breiqa villages.”

It stressed it “made every possible effort to secure the release of the detained UN peacekeepers and restore full freedom of movement of troops in the area of operations.”

To the UN Security Council strongly condemned ” the detention of UN 43 troopers and trapping of other 81 “by terrorist groups and elements of the non-governmental armed groups.”

The UNSC demanded in a statement released by (AFP) ” immediate and unconditional release of all kidnapped soldiers ” and called on “countries that have influence on armed groups to assist in the release.”

Washington holds armed groups, including “al-Nusra Front ” responsible for the detention of UN DOF troops

On the other hand, the United States held “ al Nusra Front” terrorist organization and other armed groups responsible for the detention of UNDOF 43 soldiers.”

In a statement m the US State Department demanded the ” immediate and unconditional release ” for these soldiers, condemning their detention, as well as the “violence that targeted UNDOF and carried out by armed groups, including al-Nusra Front which was declared by the UN Security Council as a terrorist group.”

US State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Bsaki said: “We reiterate our full support for UNDOF to ensure a ceasefire in the Golan Heights, as well as our thanks for the brave peacekeeping soldiers who are engaged in this task.”

T. Fateh