Over the past few months, UNIFIL’s Western Sector Command has reinforced its operational posture within its area of its responsibility by ramping up operational and community activities, and in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

Operating in a complex, challenging and constantly evolving environment, the Italy-led Command – comprising about 3,600 peacekeepers from Ghanaian, Italian, Irish, Korean and Malaysian contingents – has carried out over 5,700 operations in support of the LAF since February, doubling the tempo of activities compared to the period before hostilities escalated last September.

Support activities included facilitating the redeployment of LAF units to 85 permanent positions and the detection of 133 illegal weapons, ammunition caches, and related infrastructure, all of which were promptly reported to the LAF. 

UNIFIL’s Sector West covers 650 square kilometres of the mission’s total 1,060 square kilometre area of operations. Across the entire area of operations, the LAF have redeployed to over 120 permanent positions since the cessation of hostilities understanding on 27 November 2024. During the same period, more than 270 illegal weapons, ammunition caches, and related infrastructure have been identified and referred to the LAF.

UNIFIL Sector West personnel continue to provide vital support to local communities, also by facilitating humanitarian missions. In particular, the following activities were carried out: medical assistance to around 2,800 civilian patients in populated areas within the area of responsibility; over 400 kilometres of road technical reconnaissance by combat engineering units within the operational area; and around 100 roadblocks removed to ensure freedom of movement. 

Since February, Sector West peacekeepers have also carried out more than 1,600 community support activities, including support in the areas of health, education and civil defense.

Sector Commander Brigadier General Nicola Mandolesi said the results achieved in recent months are the outcome of the dedication of UNIFIL’s multinational force. “Every activity, whether operational or humanitarian, fulfills our mandate: to support security and stability along the Blue Line and to provide vital assistance to local communities, including by facilitating humanitarian missions,” he said.