A group of 40 Philippine peacekeepers have escaped from Syrian Golan Heights, after being engaged in a seven hour long gun battle with militants from the Al-Nusra Front.
Their evacuation comes as the Al-Nusra Front, insurgents links to Al-Qaeda, confirmed that they were holding a group of 44 Fijian UN troops captive.
The Philippine peacekeepers were trapped at their United Nations encampment, which came under attack from the militants as they overran Syrian government controlled crossings in the area. The head of the Philippine armed forces, General Gregorio Pio Catapang, said, "We may call it the greatest escape," adding,
Meanwhile, the Fijian Army Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga told reporters they "are continuing negotiations at all levels" to free a group of 44 Fijian troops held by the Al-Nusra Front. The United Nations said it “continues to actively seek their immediate and unconditional release," with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying the UN was "doing its utmost to obtain the unconditional and immediate release".
The Al-Nusra Front released images of the captive troops and released a statement online confirming their capture. Justifying the captivity of the Fijian troops, the group said the UN ignored "the daily shedding of the Muslims' blood in Syria", adding that it only responded with “mere statements and empty words that completely ignored the crimes and massacres”.
The statement went on to say,
Their evacuation comes as the Al-Nusra Front, insurgents links to Al-Qaeda, confirmed that they were holding a group of 44 Fijian UN troops captive.
The Philippine peacekeepers were trapped at their United Nations encampment, which came under attack from the militants as they overran Syrian government controlled crossings in the area. The head of the Philippine armed forces, General Gregorio Pio Catapang, said, "We may call it the greatest escape," adding,
"Although they were surrounded and outnumbered, they held their ground for seven hours...We commend our soldiers for exhibiting resolve even while under heavy fire."A further group of 35 peacekeepers were successfully rescued from another encampment by UN troops.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Army Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga told reporters they "are continuing negotiations at all levels" to free a group of 44 Fijian troops held by the Al-Nusra Front. The United Nations said it “continues to actively seek their immediate and unconditional release," with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying the UN was "doing its utmost to obtain the unconditional and immediate release".
The Al-Nusra Front released images of the captive troops and released a statement online confirming their capture. Justifying the captivity of the Fijian troops, the group said the UN ignored "the daily shedding of the Muslims' blood in Syria", adding that it only responded with “mere statements and empty words that completely ignored the crimes and massacres”.
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The statement went on to say,
“Chemical attacks did not move its decisions, nor did the barrels of death that harvested thousands of innocent souls, nor photos of torture in the depths of prisons, nor tens of massacres against women and children.”See more from the New York Times here.