KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon narrowly avoided harm after an air strike by the Israel Defense Forces landed as close as 100 metres from their position early Friday morning.
Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin confirmed that the strike occurred near the Malaysian Battalion, known as Malbatt 850-13, which is deployed under the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
According to Khaled, the first air strike was reported at about 2.35am local time near a control post located between 100 and 200 metres from the Malbatt settlement. The strike was believed to have targeted a bridge crossing the Litani River, a key route in southern Lebanon.
A second strike followed at around 3.02am, causing damage to several facilities and accommodation areas used by personnel stationed at the control post.
Despite the close proximity of the explosions, Malaysian and local troops managed to avoid injury after a swift precautionary response. Khaled said an officer and eight Malaysian personnel stationed at the control post were immediately instructed by the battalion’s Tactical Operations Centre to withdraw from the area.
The Malaysian soldiers moved together with 12 personnel from the Lebanese Armed Forces to a safer location. The group successfully reached safety at approximately 4.12am local time.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported among both Malaysian and Lebanese troops involved in the evacuation. All weapons and equipment carried by the personnel were also reported to be secure and accounted for.
Following the incident, medical officers conducted health assessments to ensure that all personnel were physically well and able to continue their duties. The Defence Ministry said the troops remain on high alert and prepared to respond to any developments in the area.
Malaysia has long contributed troops to international peacekeeping missions, and Malbatt units have been stationed in Lebanon for many years as part of the Unifil mission tasked with maintaining stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Khaled stressed that the safety and welfare of Malaysian armed forces personnel serving overseas remain a top priority for the government.
He said the Defence Ministry, through the Joint Forces Headquarters, would continue to monitor the security situation in the operational area closely. The ministry will also maintain coordination with Unifil and other peacekeeping partners to ensure that Malaysian personnel remain protected while carrying out their duties.
The incident highlights the tense security environment in southern Lebanon, where international peacekeepers often operate close to conflict zones. However, Malaysian authorities remain confident that existing safety procedures and coordination with international partners will continue to safeguard the troops deployed in the mission.
