Spanish UNIFIL troops facilitate the return of Lebanese Armed Forces to their positions in southern Lebanon

The BRILIB XLII contingent, deployed in UNIFIL's Sector East, has carried out a reconnaissance and clearing operation in and around the town of Khiam, with the aim of coordinating and supporting the entry into the area of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) military. This action,’ said General Fernando Ruiz Gómez, head of BRILIB XLII, “represents a real milestone in which a palpable fact has materialised: the will demonstrated by both parties when they signed the ceasefire agreement on 27 November”.

 

Among the tasks assigned to UNIFIL forces is cooperation and assistance in restoring the effective authority of the Government of Lebanon in the BRILIB area of operations. In this case, it has facilitated the relocation of Lebanese Army (LAF) units to their former positions in the south of the town of Khiam, so that, in addition to allowing the population to return, they can ensure that there are no Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) forces inside.

 

To carry out this operation, a tactical sub-group was formed, with support from engineers, transmissions and logistical elements for recovery and medical assistance, with the necessary capabilities to maintain liaison with the command post, isolate and secure the area and, finally, reconnoitre this locality until reaching the former LAF positions. As the head of the Protected Light Tactical Group , Lieutenant Colonel Víctor Manuel Carrera Armario, to which the tactical sub-group that carried out this operation belongs, points out, ‘it was necessary to ensure perfect synchronisation, both of the manoeuvre and of all the capabilities used, as well as different tests that ensured the command and control of the operation’.

 

To carry out the reconnaissance and clearing operation, the area around the Khiam was first fenced off and secured with access control points manned by Spanish troops. Next, and as the main effort, the reconnaissance of the interior of the locality was carried out, for which it was necessary to enter one of the towns most affected by the recent conflict in order to check the viability of the routes. Blockages caused by the rubble of collapsed buildings were cleared, the terrain was reconnoitred in search of possible unexploded ordnance and the absence of Israeli army units was confirmed.