The Japanese government decided Tuesday to extend the participation of its troops in a UN peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights in Syria another six months until September 30. The decision, made at a Cabinet meeting, follows a UN Security Council resolution in December to extend the mission of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. As a result, Self-Defense Forces troops will continue their mission beyond the current deadline of March 31.
Since 1974, UNDOF has been monitoring the disengagement of Israel Defense Forces and Syrian troops on the Golan Heights, the focal point of Middle East peace negotiations. Japan has been participating in the peacekeeping mission on six-month rotations since February 1996, providing airlifting transportation and other logistical support for the UN mission. According to the Foreign Ministry, 45 Japanese personnel are carrying out their mission smoothly despite the harsh environment and extreme temperature variations. |