HEADQUARTERS: Damascus
DURATION: June 1974 to present
CURRENT STRENGTH: 1,031 troops assisted by the military observers of UNTSO's Observer Group Golan
FATALITIES: 37
FORCE COMMANDER: Major-General Roman Misztal (Poland)1/
BACKGROUND
On 6 October 1973, war erupted again in the Middle East between Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Suez Canal area and the Sinai and between Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. On 24 October, as fighting between Egypt and Israel reached a critical stage, the Security Council decided to set up a second United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II). The Force was immediately moved into place between the Israeli and Egyptian armies in the Suez Canal area, and its arrival effectively stabilized the situation.
In the Israel-Syria sector tension remained high, and from March 1974 the situation became increasingly unstable. Against this background, the United States undertook a diplomatic initiative, which resulted in the conclusion of an Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces. The Agreement provided for an area of separation and for two equal zones of limited forces and armaments on both sides of the area, and called for the establishment of a United Nations observer force to supervise its implementation. The Agreement was signed on 31 May 1974.
ESTABLISHMENT OF UNDOF
Later on the same day, the Security Council adopted resolution 350 (1974) by which it set up the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). As provided in the Agreement on Disengagement, UNDOF's mandate was to maintain the cease-fire between Israel and Syria, to supervise the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces, and to supervise the areas of separation and limitation. Since then, the Security Council has periodically extended UNDOF's mandate for periods of six months at a time.
UNDOF'S ACTIVITIES
Advance parties of the Force arrived in the area on 3 June 1974, and within two weeks its total strength was brought to near its then authorized level of about 1,250. Following the completion of the disengagement operation and the delineation of the lines bounding the area of separation, UNDOF set up a series of checkpoints and observation posts within that area. In addition, two base camps were established, one on the east side of the area of separation and the other on the west side. In the area of separation UNDOF operates static positions and observation posts, which are manned 24 hours a day, and conducts patrols by vehicle or on foot along predetermined routes by day and night. Temporary outposts and additional patrols are set up from time to time to perform specific tasks.
Under a programme undertaken by the Syrian authorities, civilians have continued to return to the area of separation, the population of which has doubled since the establishment of UNDOF. The Syrian Arab Republic has stationed police in the area of separation in exercise of its administrative responsibility. UNDOF has adjusted its operations accordingly to take account of these developments and to continue to carry out effectively its supervisory tasks under the Agreement on Disengagement. UNDOF headquarters maintains close liaison with the Israeli and the Syrian authorities through their senior military representatives. At the local level, the commanders of the UNDOF units maintain liaison with one side or the other through liaison officers designated by the parties.
UNDOF conducts fortnightly inspections of armament and force levels in the area of limitation. These inspections are carried out with the assistance of liaison officers from the parties, who accompany the inspection teams. The findings of the inspection teams are communicated to the two parties. The inspections have generally proceeded smoothly with the cooperation of the parties concerned, although on both sides restrictions are regularly placed on the movement of the teams in some localities.
In his most recent report on the activities of UNDOF submitted to the Security Council on 18 November 1994, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, stated that UNDOF had continued to perform its tasks effectively, with the cooperation of the parties. Despite the present quiet in the Israel-Syria sector, however, the situation in the Middle East continued to be potentially dangerous and was likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem could be reached. The Secretary-General believed that, in the prevailing circumstances, the continued presence of the Force in the area was essential and recommended that the Security Council extend the mandate of UNDOF for a further period of six months.
The Security Council, by its resolution 962 (1994) of 29 November, renewed the mandate of UNDOF until 31 May 1995, and called upon the parties concerned to implement its resolutionUNTSO ). In addition, UNTSO observers assigned to the Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission have assisted UNDOF in the execution of its tasks. In 1993, the Government of Finland decided to withdraw its contingent by the end of the year. Poland offered, and the Security Council agreed, to replace the Finnish infantry battalion. Canada also agreed to assume all logistics functions. Thus UNDOF currently comprises infantry battalions from Austria and Poland and a logistic unit from Canada as follows (figures as at 30 November 1994):
COUNTRY, TROOPS
Figures may vary from month to month due to rotation. "Troops" include any infantry, logistics, engineering, medical, move-con, staff, etc.
Approximately 80 UNTSO observers continue to assist UNDOF as before. There are also some 35 international and 90 locally recruited civilian staff.
FINANCIAL ASPECTS
From its inception, UNDOF has been financed from the Special Account established for UNEF II. Following the termination of UNEF II in July 1979, the account remained open for UNDOF. The rough cost to the United Nations of the operation in 1994 was approximately $32.2 million. As at 30 November 1994, total contributions outstanding to the Special Account of UNDOF for the period from the inception of the operation to 30 November 1994 amounted to approximately $29.7 million.
NOTE
1/ After his departure on 30 November 1994, General Misztal was succeeded by Major-General Johannes C. Kosters (Netherlands), who assumed command on 6 January 1995. Return to Text
Note: Data effective 30 November 1994