Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the UN Secretary-General to immediately withdraw UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon, citing concerns for their safety amidst escalating tensions with Hezbollah. This comes after Israeli fire injured five UNIFIL members, with the peacekeeping force refusing to relocate from its positions along the Lebanese border.
Despite its initial mandate to ensure a buffer zone free of unauthorised militias, UNIFIL has failed to curb Hezbollah’s growing influence and military presence in Southern Lebanon. This failure is attributed to a combination of factors: Hezbollah’s dominance, the Lebanese Armed Forces’ subservience to Hezbollah, and UNIFIL’s limited mandate. The article explores the challenges facing UNIFIL and analyzes the potential consequences of its continued presence in a region where its effectiveness is increasingly questioned.
The Indian Army is participating in the multinational military exercise ‘Khaan Quest’ in Mongolia from July 27 to August 9. The exercise aims to enhance peacekeeping capabilities and promote collaboration between armed forces worldwide. The Indian contingent, including a woman officer and two women soldiers, departed for Ulaanbaatar on Wednesday. The event, first held in 2003, has grown into a significant multinational exercise.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has put a hold on its withdrawal, citing continued violence in the east of the country. The decision comes after the first phase of the withdrawal, completed in June, and is attributed to an escalation of clashes blamed on neighboring Rwanda’s support for the M23 rebel group.
Thousands of Victorians gathered at Anzac Day dawn services across the state to pay their respects to current and past servicemen and women. In Melbourne, 40,000 people attended the service at the Shrine of Remembrance, where Indigenous Elder Mark Brown performed a Welcome to Country and RSL Victoria president Robert Webster delivered the Ode of Remembrance. Peacekeepers were particularly recognized this year, with the Navy band and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus performing Abide By Me during the service. Among those leading the Anzac Day march were veterans who participated in peacekeeping missions for Australia, including Royal Australian Air Force veteran Brett West, who emphasized the importance of supporting families of servicemen and women.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev praised Russia’s pivotal role in securing the Caucasus region during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The discussions focused on economic cooperation, regional security, and the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) railway project.
Aliyev emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries, while Putin expressed a willingness to strengthen ties.
The meeting also touched upon the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from the Karabakh region, highlighting the evolving security landscape in the Southern Caucasus.
