The Lebanese Army was deployed on Friday to de-escalate a tense confrontation between residents of the southern town of Jmayjimeh and a patrol from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid a spike in incidents involving international peacekeepers in the region.

According to Al-Hadath TV, the altercation broke out after a UNIFIL unit was confronted by locals in Jmayjimeh, a town located in the Bint Jbeil district. The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting the peacekeepers to fire warning shots into the air in an effort to disperse the crowd.

Al-Jadeed TV reported that the UN force also released a tear gas canister after facing repeated hostilities, a move that heightened tensions on the ground and drew more residents to the scene.

The situation remained volatile until the arrival of a Lebanese Army unit, which intervened to mediate between the parties and worked to defuse the standoff. 

Later, UNIFIL issued a statement saying that a routine patrol in southern Lebanon came under attack by a large group of civilians wielding metal rods and axes, causing significant damage to UN vehicles. No injuries were reported among peacekeepers.

UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said the incident occurred between the villages of Al-Jmayjimeh and Khirbet Selem while a patrol was carrying out a scheduled and coordinated operational activity.

According to Tenenti, the peacekeepers were confronted by a large group of individuals in civilian clothes who attempted to block the patrol “using violent means,” including striking vehicles with metal rods and axes. In response, the UN personnel employed non-lethal measures to ensure their own safety and that of others in the vicinity.

The Lebanese Army was immediately notified and arrived on the scene, escorting the patrol safely back to its base.

UNIFIL underscored that the patrol had been pre-planned and fully coordinated with the Lebanese military. The mission also issued a strong reminder that under its mandate, it has the right to freedom of movement throughout its area of operations in southern Lebanon.

“Any restriction of that freedom is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” the statement read, referring to the 2006 resolution that outlines the responsibilities and operational framework for UNIFIL.

The mission stressed that it is empowered to act independently, with or without the accompaniment of the Lebanese Army.

“While coordination with the Lebanese Army is constant, UNIFIL’s ability to implement its mandate does not depend on the presence of the Lebanese military,” the statement added.

UNIFIL condemned the assault, calling it “unacceptable” and urged the Lebanese authorities to ensure that peacekeepers are able to carry out their duties without threats or obstruction.

The mission reiterated that freedom of movement is essential to fulfilling its mandate and reaffirmed its commitment to operate with full neutrality and independence.

It also called on all parties to refrain from any actions that could endanger the lives of UN personnel and reminded all actors of the obligation to respect the inviolability of United Nations staff and facilities at all times.

توتّر في الجميجمة بين الأهالي و #اليونيفيل… والجيش يتدخّل pic.twitter.com/cZefCFtZN9

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