KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Battalion 850 (Malbatt 850) personnel serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) that were affected following an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) strike near Sidon, Lebanon, last night are safe at Camp Marakah, Lebanon.
Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohamad Ab Rahman said the convoy arrived safely at the camp at 5.30pm local time (11.30pm Malaysian time).
"Alhamdulillah, our convoy safely arrived at 5.30pm local time. All six personnel only sustained minor injuries. They are now resting at the camp," he told the New Straits Times.
Last night, the armed forces in a statement, said that six personnel from Malbatt 850-12 and Malbatt 850-11 sustained minor injuries following a strike near Saida Stadium, Lebanon. The incident occurred as the Malbatt 850-12 convoy was travelling from Beirut to Marakah Camp.
The strike targeted another civilian vehicle en route to Beirut and also caused damage to a bus carrying Malbatt 850-12 personnel.
The armed forces 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 wellbeing 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 a drone strike, targeting another vehicle. Unifil said the injured were treated by the Lebanese Red Cross.
On Wednesday, Malaysia sent its first batch of Malbatt 850-12 peacekeepers, consisting of 220 officers and enlisted personnel, led by Colonel Johan Effendi Mohd Salleh.
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 followed the return of the Malbatt 850-11 contingent, which completed its tour of duty there.