KUALA LUMPUR: Six Malaysian Battalion 850 (Malbatt 850) personnel serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) were injured following a drone strike near Sidon, Lebanon, the armed forces confirmed.
In a statement, it said that five from Malbatt 850-12 sustained various minor injuries, with one member suffering an injury to the arm; suspected closed fracture of the left arm, and one other personnel from Malbatt 850-11 sustaining minor injuries.
"The personnel with the arm injury were immediately taken to Hamood Hospital in Saida for treatment by the Malbatt 850-11 medical officer," read the statement.
The armed forces said the incident happened at around 7.54pm Malaysian time near Saida Stadium, Lebanon, as the Malbatt 850-12 personnel were travelling from Beirut to Marakah Camp.
"The explosion targeted another civilian vehicle en route to Beirut but also caused damage to a bus carrying Malbatt 850-12 personnel," it said.
The armed forces also said it will continue to closely monitor developments regarding the situation and will provide updates on the incident as necessary.
It added that it remains committed to the safety and well-being of its personnel in carrying out the peacekeeping mission under the United Nations (UN).
Earlier, Unifil, in a statement, said a convoy ferrying peacekeepers who had just arrived in Lebanon to begin their deployment was hit in an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) drone strike.
The convoy was on its way to southern Lebanon and was passing through Sidon when the attack happened.
Unifil said the injured were treated by the Lebanese Red Cross.
Yesterday, Malaysia sent its first batch of Malbatt 850-12 peacekeepers, consisting of 220 officers and enlisted personnel, led by Colonel Johan Effendi Mohd Shalleh.
Malbatt 850-12 comprises 854 personnel, including 82 officers and 772 enlisted, with an additional three officers and 27 personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, and a civilian financial officer from the Defence Ministry.
The deployment follows the return of the Malbatt 850-11 contingent, which completed its tour of duty there.