Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United Nations has ordered peace-keepers to leave Syria for Israel.

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force abandoned its positions in Syria’s Golan Heights. Officials said hundreds of UNDOF personnel left Syria for Israel in wake of abductions by Al Qaida’s Nusra Front for the Defense of the Levant.

“Armed groups have made advances in the area of UNDOF positions, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers along the Bravo line [in Syria] and in Camp Faouar,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

In a statement on Sept. 15, Dujarric said all of the UN personnel in these positions left Syria for Israel. The spokesman said an unspecified number of UNDOF peace-keepers remained on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

“The situation in UNDOF on the Syrian side and the area of separation has deteriorated severely over the last several days,” Dujarric said.

UNDOF, established in 1974, consists of 1,233 troops from such members as Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands and the Philippines. In August, 45 members of the Fijian mission were abducted by Nusra and held for two weeks.

Officials said most of the withdrawn peace-keepers were staying at Camp Ziouani on the Israeli-side of the Golan. They said the Security Council would determine the future of the force.

“It continues to use all available assets to carry out its mandated tasks in this exceptionally challenging environment,” Dujarric said.

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