Multinational Brigade Unifil – east and Lebanese armed forces work together for a safer southern Lebanon

• Spanish Blue Helmets from the Canary Islands Command and Lebanese Armed Forces personnel working together to improve mobility and access to local populations.

As part of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, the Spanish Engineer Unit of the Eastern Sector of UNIFIL, in close collaboration and coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), is carrying out a range of activities aimed at improving mobility and access for the civilian population, particularly in those areas most affected by the conflict.

Among the most significant efforts is the reopening of road XB1 through the town of Kafer Kela, where a damaged lighting tower obstructing the passage of heavy vehicles was removed. Additionally, overhead water pipes and cables limiting clearance on road XB8, west of Kleyaa, have been dismantled. On a secondary road south of Wata El Khiam, debris, scrap metal and fallen trees have been cleared. Lastly, a crater caused by an explosion south of Kawkaba has been filled. All these improvements to infrastructure and communications contribute to enhancing the daily lives of the Lebanese people.

According to General Ricardo Esteban Cabrejos, Commander of the Eastern Sector, ‘the ultimate goal of rehabilitating damaged roads is to enable the return and reunification of families to their homes, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.’  UNIFIL and the LAF therefore continue to work in close coordination with local authorities and the civilian population, convinced that stability must be built from the ground up, with the active participation of those who need it most.

‘Through these actions,-  General Esteban concludes - , UNIFIL , and therefore Spain ,  reaffirm their strong support and close coordination with the LAF, always striving towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the south of the country, as envisioned in Resolution 1701.’

Missions of the Spanish Contingent in UNIFIL

The UN Mission in Lebanon has, among its core tasks, the monitoring of the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. It also supports and assists the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon and along the separation line between the two states, known as the Blue Line. It also guarantees humanitarian access to civilian populations and facilitates the safe and voluntary return of displaced persons. In this context, the Spanish contingent deployed in Lebanon – composed of units from the Canary Islands Command – establishes observation posts at various detachments and sensitive locations within the area of responsibility of the Spain-led Eastern Sector Brigade. Simultaneously, it undertakes additional operations in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. (LAF).

Likewise, within the framework of valid United Nations Security Council resolutions, Spanish troops are tasked with the following missions:

·         Monitoring the cessation of hostilities.

·         Supporting and accompanying the Lebanese Armed Forces in their deployment in southern Lebanon, particularly along the Blue Line, while Israel withdraws its forces, ensuring coordination with both parties.

·         Enhancing assistance to guarantee humanitarian access to civilian populations and the safe, voluntary return of displaced people.

·         Assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing an area between the Blue Line and the Litani River free of any armed personnel, assets or weapons, other than those authorised by the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL.

·         Supporting the Lebanese Government in reasserting its effective authority over the area. 

Now approaching the halfway point of their deployment, the consistent and dedicated work of the Spanish contingent in southern Lebanon has led to a notable improvement in the living conditions of communities devastated by recent conflict. This is a clear demonstration of Spain’s unwavering commitment to international peace and security.