Six Malaysian Peacekeepers Injured in Israeli Drone Attack in Southern Lebanon

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – An Israeli military drone attack on the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon has claimed the lives of three local residents and injured three Lebanese soldiers as well as six Malaysian soldiers serving with the United Nations (UN).

According to a report by the national news agency Bernama, Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that members of Malaysia Battalion 850-12 (Malbatt 850-12) in Lebanon were struck by explosive fragments, with several members reportedly injured.

He added that a media statement from the Joint Forces Headquarters would be issued shortly.

In a statement released at midnight, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) confirmed that an explosion incident occurred on November 7, 2024 (Thursday) at 1:54 PM Lebanon time, or 7:54 PM Malaysia time, near Saida Stadium in Lebanon during the movement of Malaysian Battalion 850-12 (MALBATT 850-12) personnel from Beirut to Camp Marakah.

“The explosion targeted another civilian vehicle headed toward Beirut but also damaged a bus carrying MALBATT 850-12 personnel.”

“As a result, six MALBATT 850 members were injured, including five from MALBATT 850-12 with various minor injuries, one of whom sustained a suspected closed fracture to the left arm, and one from MALBATT 850-11 who also suffered minor injuries.”

According to ATM Headquarters, the soldier with the arm injury was immediately transported to Hamood Hospital in Saida for treatment by a medical officer from MALBATT 850-11.

“ATM will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates on this incident as necessary.”

ATM remains committed to the safety and well-being of its personnel while carrying out peacekeeping missions under the United Nations (UN) banner.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed in a post on Platform X (formerly Twitter) that five peacekeepers and three Lebanese soldiers were injured when a UN peacekeeping convoy carrying new personnel was struck by a drone attack while passing through the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL reported that the five injured peacekeepers sustained only minor injuries and were treated on-site by the Lebanese Red Cross.

“They will proceed to their respective posts,” the statement read.

The same statement mentioned that the Lebanese Army confirmed three of its soldiers stationed at a nearby checkpoint were also injured in the incident.

“We remind all parties of their obligation to avoid actions that endanger peacekeepers or civilians. Disputes must be resolved at the negotiating table, not through violence,” UNIFIL stated.

A statement from the Lebanese military indicated that the Israeli military’s attack targeted a vehicle passing through a security checkpoint, killing three local residents inside the vehicle.

It added that the injured Lebanese soldiers were on duty at the security checkpoint, while the Malaysian peacekeepers were passing through at the time of the Israeli military attack.

The Lebanese national news agency reported that the UNIFIL vehicle was on the “same line” during the Israeli drone attack, resulting in minor injuries to several UNIFIL personnel from Malaysia.

MALBATT 850-12 comprises 854 personnel, including 82 officers and 772 other ranks, as well as three officers and 27 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and a Civil Financial Officer from the Ministry of Defense.

The Commander of MALBATT 850-12 is Colonel Johan Effendi bin Hj Mohd Shalleh. — DSA