Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United Nations is working urgently to save its depleted and embattled
peacekeeping force at the Golan Heights.

The UN has been examining the prospect of replacing several of the
contingents that withdrew from the UN Disengagement Observers Force in 2013.

Over the last six months, Austria, Canada, Croatia and Japan left the buffer zone between Israel and Syria amid the Sunni war against President Bashar Assad.

“The presence of the [Syrian Army] and unauthorized military equipment in the area of separation is a grave violation of the 1974 Agreement of Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces,” UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon said.

Diplomats said Ban has persuaded Fiji to deploy 170 troops as part of an effort to bolster UNDOF. They said the troops, who could be joined by other Fijians, would arrive by July.

Fiji was meant to replace Croatia, which withdrew from the Golan in
April. So far, only India and the Philippines remain in UNDOF, which until
2013 numbered 1,000 personnel.

Diplomats said Ban was urging the Philippines to expand its presence on
the Golan. The 340-member Filipino contingent, which underwent attacks and
abductions, has been the main target of Sunni rebels. India has nearly 200
troops.

The latest contingent to withdraw from the Golan has been Austria, with
nearly 380 personnel. On June 12, Austria began pulling out troops in a
process meant to last through the end of the month.

One candidate to replace Austria was Sweden. The diplomats said Ban has
been discussing the prospect of a small Swedish contingent over the next
month.

In his report to the Security Council, Ban proposed expanding UNDOF to
1,250 personnel. Ban also recommended providing additional equipment to
protect the force.

  Ban Ki-Moon, Bashar Assad, UN Disengagement Observers Force, UN scrambles to salvage Golan Heights force