Convoy attacked in Damascus, HRVCON without injured
On Thursday, November 29, at around 15.00 local time, the convoy with members of the Croatian and Austrian contingents, deployed in the United Nations UNDOF peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights, was attacked near the airport in Damascus.
Four members of the Austrian Armed Forces were wounded (not in life danger), and Croatian soldier did not sustain any injuries.
Attacked convoy was carrying the second part of the 9th Croatian contingent (HRVCON) together with part of the Austrian contingent to the airport in Damascus, from where they will fly to Zagreb and Vienna.
On Wednesday morning, about 10.00 hours, second part of the 10th HRVCON UNDOF along with second part of the Austrian contingent was sent from Zagreb with an airplane. The airplane landed safely at the airport in Damascus.
Currently, both parts of the contingents are situated at the airport in Damascus. Mission Commander decided that the old contingents return to their home countries. The new contingents will remain at the airport in Damascus until the security situation improves. The return of the second part of the 9th HRVCON to Zagreb is expected at night.
A convoy of Croatian and Austrian soldiers was secured by the military police. Under the UN rules, peacekeeping mission members may not carry weapons outside the area of the mission.