Irish soldier killed on peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

A member of the Irish Defence Forces has died after an attack on a convoy in South Lebanon, the Defence Forces have confirmed.

The attack took place in the Al-Aqbieh area, just outside the peacekeeping group’s area of operations.

Two vehicles carrying eight peacekeepers were stopped at a roadblock and subsequently surrounded by attackers at around 11.15pm local time or 9.15pm Irish time.

One Defence Forces peacekeeper was killed and another seriously injured in the ambush.

The injured solider is in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery in a UN-controlled hospital in Hamud.

A further two Irish soldiers suffered minor injuries when their vehicle overturned. The four other soldiers were not harmed and are safe and accounted for, the Defence Forces confirmed.

President Michael D Higgins said it was with the deepest sorrow that he learned of the incident.

“As a people, we take great pride in our unbroken record of peacekeeping with the United Nations. However, we must never forget the dangers that come with this work, or how the members of our Defence Forces serving on peacekeeping missions abroad risk their lives every day in order to build and maintain peace in conflict zones across the world.”

The Irish Defence Forces are in Lebanon as part of the UN peacekeeping mission, Unifil (United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon).

In recent months, tensions have been high between Unifil and local armed groups due to rising instability in the country.

The two armoured SUVs containing the Irish soldiers were travelling on an “administrative run” from the Irish Unifil base to Beirut. Two of the soldiers were on the way to the airport planning to return to Ireland due to bereavements.

The drive north along the coast is typically safe and undertaken regularly by Irish Defence Forces personnel.

Sources have said there are strong indicators that the attack was preplanned.

It is with deep regret that Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm the death of one of our peacekeepers in a serious incident in Lebanon last night.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

1/4 pic.twitter.com/YrnFOVBjkV

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) December 15, 2022

Speaking to RTÉ Radio, Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said the convoy was surrounded and attacked by a “hostile mob."

Coveney extended his sympathies to the families of those affected who were informed of the news overnight. The Defence Forces said it was not releasing details of those involved at this time.

This is the first death of an Irish soldier in combat in 23 years and the first on a peacekeeping mission since 2003.

Several investigations are set to be undertaken following the attack, including by the Defence Forces, the UN and local police.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy said the other members of the 121st Infantry Battalion are “resolute” in completing their mission.

Clancy continued, saying that the organisation was “deeply shocked and saddened by the news of this tragic event and the loss of one of our peacekeepers.

“Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fellow peacekeepers from the 121st Infantry Battalion. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured last night and their families and friends,” he said. “Our focus now is to ensure the safety and continued support for all our personnel deployed in Lebanon.”

Clancy added that serving your country came with an inherent risk and that while it had been 20 years since there had been an Irish fatality on a peacekeeping mission, the latest had come too soon.

Unifil said in a statement that details of what happened were “sparse and conflicting” and that they were co-ordinating with the Lebanese armed forces in an attempt to “determine exactly what happened."

Minister Coveney said: “At this time I want to express, on behalf of everyone in Ireland, our utmost sorrow at the loss of a young man serving his country and the United Nations overseas. To his family I want to say sorry for their heartbreak and loss.”