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2 Austrian UN soldiers injured in Syria (Maj3)

UN convoy (credit: Austrian Ministry of Defence)

(BRUSSELS2) A UN convoy - with Austrian and croatians back from mission in Golan (UNDOF) - came under fire on Thursday (November 29) in the afternoon about 15 kilometers west of Damascus airport. Four Austrian soldiers were wounded, two very lightly by shrapnel, two others more seriously. This is a 53-year-old second lieutenant from the health teams who was injured quite seriously in the shoulder by a bullet and a 25-year-old corporal was injured more lightly in the arm. First aid was carried out by the medical team, who was in the protection team of the convoy. They were then evacuated to Haifa hospital in Israel, first by land to the Golan Heights where they were taken care of by an Israeli helicopter. Their lives are not in danger, it is specified to the Austrian Ministry of Defense. The other soldiers, who were part of the convoy, all got back on the plane and arrived in Austria on Friday (November 30).

The origin of the shots is " unknown “said the minister in a press release. Austria filed immediately a clear protest to the United Nations Security Council ". " The fact that Austrian blue helmets are targeted is to be condemned. And the appropriate consequences must entail. The Austrian government will make every effort, together with the UN, to ensure that this incident is completely clarified. explained Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Defense Minister Norbert Darabos. The Syrian Ambassador in Vienna was summoned to the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The Austrians demand an "investigation" into this attack. " Syria is responsible for the safety of our UNDOF soldiers and must ensure that they can fulfill their international mandate “said Minister Spindelegger.

The European ambassadors of the COPS - political and security committee - have been kept informed of the incident, according to information received at B2.

(updated December 4) The two injured were repatriated on Monday (December 3) by C-130 Hercules military aircraft from Vogler air base to Linz airport. An imperative for the Minister of Defense Norbert Darabos who specified it in a press release. " The safety of our soldiers is a top priority. For me it is important that all means are used to bring them safe and sound » . The most severely affected - the 53-year-old second lieutenant - was transferred to a hospital by helicopter; the second, more slightly affected, was able to return home.

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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