Around 20 observers of the UN in the Golan Heights have been detained by Syrian rebels.
The Martyrs of Yarmouk group are reported to have told the BBC that they had taken the observers to stop Syrian troops from shelling them.
The territory, on the Syrian-Israeli border has recently seen fighting between government forces and rebels.
The Free Syrian Army has condemned the capture and called for the release of the UN workers.
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.