General García del Barrio: “Security measures have been increased in order to prioritize our protection”

• The head of UNIFIL's Sector East Brigade stresses that the morale and motivation of the soldiers remains “very high”

The head of the UNIFIL (United Nations Mission in Lebanon) Eastern Sector Brigade, General Guillermo García del Barrio, has pointed out that, as a result of the Israel-Hezbollah attacks, security measures in the operation have been increased “in order to always prioritize our security”.

The general explained that the security measures “are established according to the situation” and are translated into three levels: level 1 requires the mandatory wearing of personal protective equipment - bulletproof vest and helmet - at all times; level 2 entails welcoming all personnel to the nearest UN position and wearing the protective equipment; and level 3 entails moving to the bunkers that exist in the different positions.

“Moreover, in our patrols close to the separation line between Israel and Lebanon, we always carry out our movements in armored vehicles and never alone, always maintaining permanent contact with our base,” added the Brigade commander.

After the attacks of the last few days, “these measures have been increased fundamentally in the time we spend in levels 2 or 3 in order to ensure that we prioritize our security in the fulfilment of our assigned tasks,” he said.

‘Zero risk does not exist in a military mission. However, it must be borne in mind that the UN is not a target for either side; both Israel and Lebanon have accepted our presence where we deploy. Moreover, thanks to our work, southern Lebanon has enjoyed one of the longest periods of peace in its history,’ the general continued.

With regard to joint patrols with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General García del Barrio explained that, until 23 September, 15 percent of the brigade's operational activities were carried out together with the LAF. ‘The coordination of our activities was permanent and our relations with them have always been excellent. In addition, we have LAF liaison officers working permanently with us at our base. Since then, however, our patrols have been limited to what is strictly necessary and our activities have therefore been reduced’. Nevertheless, the general said that ‘when this limitation ends, we will resume our joint patrols with them for the benefit of our mission’.

“Contact with the families is continuous”

The head of Sector East highlighted the preparation of each and every member of the contingent. ‘During the six months of preparation in Spain before deployment, we prepared ourselves specifically for this mission, and we put a lot of effort into preparing ourselves to face the situations we are currently experiencing. Therefore, the current situation does not surprise us, which does not mean that it does not worry us.

He adds that, on the one hand, they are concerned about the civilian population, who are exposed to the attacks between the two sides, because, thanks to the work carried out by all the Spanish contingents in this mission, the Spanish military feel very close to them. ‘I can assure you that we feel their misfortunes as our own. We receive many calls from people from the villages around the base who are interested in our situation, and that says a lot about them’, he said.

‘But we are also concerned about our families and, above all, about the information they can receive about the conditions in which we are currently carrying out our work,’ said the general, who pointed out that the base has free internet, which means that all members of the Brigade can send messages and make calls or video calls with their mobile phones or other electronic media completely free of charge and without limitations. ‘Therefore, contact with the families is guaranteed and is permanent,’ he said.

‘However, when we take the security measures that advise us to move to the bunkers, civilian communication means such as Wi-Fi are restricted for our safety. We know that this can cause concern for our families, but they should all understand that it is for our safety and they should not worry; although we are well aware that sometimes it is not easy for them,’ he acknowledged.

Message from the Chief of the Lebanon Brigade, General Guillermo García del Barrio (youtube.com)