Lebanon: response of the Blue Helmets following some controlled explosions along the Blue Line

(To Army Majority State)
05/01/19

Following some controlled explosions occurred in the last two weeks, along the Blue Line in the area of ​​responsibility of the Ghanaian task force (GHANBATT), la Joint Task Force Lebanon (JTF-L) has employed Italian-Croatian joint teams Mine Detection Dog (MDD) - Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) ed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) - Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) ​​to examine areas of craters caused by explosions. Intervened in a security setting, the teams with the cercamine dogs (MDD) and the anti-explosive dogs (EDD), together with the Croatian EOD-IEDD assets, have:
- assessed the impact of the detonations and the security of the areas inhabited by Ramyah and Ayta Ash Sha'b;
- checked the status of the area, in terms of any damage caused by the explosion;
- checked the possible presence of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and mines.

The activity was necessary because the explosive devices placed along the Blue Line in the years 80, already subjected to the action of natural factors, such as erosion, bad weather and landslides, could have suffered, probably following the explosions, a shift with respect to the registration document, delivered by the Israelis to the Mission's Command to facilitate their discovery in reclamation operations. The immediate intervention of the Italian-Croatian teams, together with the UNIFIL technical team also intervened to assess a possible violation of the UN Security Council's 1701 / 2006 Resolution, helped ensure the prompt response of the West Sector in support of the local population and is encouraging rapid normalization of the situation in the affected areas.

In this regard, Brigadier General Diodato Abagnara, commander of the Joint Task Force Lebanon he expressed, in a meeting with the local authorities involved, his personal closeness and that of the whole Sector West to the local population and has ensured the constant support necessary in terms of employment of specialized addictions, in close coordination with the LAF.

From 4 December 2018 le Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have started the operation Northern Shield along the named armistice line Blue Line. The Israeli intervention, conducted on its territory and considered an activity of engineer works, is aimed at the closure or possible destruction of underground tunnels that would allow access from Lebanon to the territory of Israel. The activity follows the operation Southern Shield, operation carried out at the border with the Gaza Strip for the same purpose.

In order to monitor developments in the activities of IDF and contextually to the possible activities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) along the BL, la Joint Task Force Lebanon (JTF-L) of the West Sector, on indication of the command of the UNIFIL mission, has given mandate to the dependent units (ITALBATT, GHANBATT and IRISHBATT) to report any extraordinary activities both of the IDFs on the work of engineer works strengthened (such as land drilling work) and LAF, with the aim of consolidating the role of impartial interposition between the parties.