(VIDEO) Malaysian UN Peacekeeping Vehicles Attacked in Lebanon
(VIDEO) The attack on vehicles belonging to Malaysian UN peacekeeping forces occurred amid heightened tensions in Lebanon, following a series of pager and walkie-talkie explosions, believed to have been orchestrated by Israel's intelligence agencies.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – A video showing two Malaysian Peacekeeping Battalion (MALBATT 850-11) vehicles being attacked by a group of civilians in Lebanon has been circulating on both domestic and international social media over the past two days.
The attack on the Malaysian UN peacekeeping vehicles occurred amidst heightened tensions in Lebanon following a series of pager and walkie-talkie explosions, reportedly orchestrated by Israel’s intelligence agencies.
These explosions resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 people and injured thousands more.
According to a statement released today by the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (ATM) Defence Intelligence and Strategic Communications Division, the incident took place at 5:32 PM local time (11:32 PM Malaysia time), involving three officers and seven other ranks who were traveling in two MALBATT 850-11 Fitted For Radio (FFR) vehicles.
“All personnel were returning to MALBATT 850-11’s Marakah Camp after completing force protection duties at Camp Shama, UNIFIL headquarters.
While passing through Tes Road-Burj Al Qibli in the city of Tyre, there was an unusual traffic jam, with many civilians directing traffic. Numerous ambulances and fire trucks were seen moving from both directions,” the statement said.
“Suddenly, a group of civilians acted aggressively, attempting to stop the two MALBATT vehicles. Nearly 30 individuals threw stones and punctured the vehicles’ tires using sharp objects.”
To prevent the situation from escalating, the convoy leader directed the vehicles to pull over to a safe roadside spot, where they remained inside while awaiting assistance from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
LAF personnel arrived at the scene, successfully bringing the situation under control and coordinating with a loader to transport the vehicles and personnel back to Marakah Camp. They arrived at 7:39 PM local time (1:39 AM Malaysia time).
“No injuries were sustained by the officers or personnel involved, though both vehicles did suffer some damage,” the statement added.
MALBATT 850-11 will continue its routine duties as mandated by UNIFIL, and the public is urged not to speculate on the incident, which could tarnish the image of ATM and the Ministry of Defence.
In March, Lebanese media reported that an armored vehicle belonging to UNIFIL, allegedly carrying Malaysian peacekeepers, was detained by local residents and handed over to Hezbollah fighters in Hay al-Sellom, a district in southern Beirut.
The Arabic-language Lebanese news portal *Al-Modon* also released a video showing the interior of the UNIFIL armored vehicle, where the steering wheel was marked with the word “Cendana Auto,” along with several personal belongings of the peacekeepers.
UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel confirmed the incident to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), stating, “A UN peacekeeping vehicle on a routine logistics trip to Beirut inadvertently entered an unplanned route,” leading to the temporary detainment of UNIFIL personnel. – DSA
