Crowe concerned for safety of Irish troops in Syria

Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, has expressed his anger and deep concern for the health and safety of Irish troops stationed in the Golan Heights after one of their regular patrol convoys came under attack from anti-government forces last night.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Last night’s attack on Irish troops serving in the Golan Heights graphically highlights just how dangerous the conditions are for them on this UN assignment.

“Their health and safety should be of paramount concern, and in this particular incident none of them were seriously injured in this attack, which could so easily have led to loss of life.

“Sinn Féin, along with others, opposed the sending of Irish troops on this particular mission because we were worried that Syrian anti-government forces would see them as legitimate targets and not neutral forces, because of recent EU decisions made in relation to Syria.

“This is why Austrian troops pulled out, and sadly last night’s attack proves beyond doubt, that some of these rebels groups are more than willing to launch attacks on Irish troops serving on this UN mission.

“In the light of this latest attack I am once again calling on Defence Minister Alan Shatter to review the decision to station troops in the Golan Heights, and encourage him, for the health and safety of Irish soldiers, to facilitate their withdrawal from this contested and highly dangerous area.”