Ghanaian Soldiers Bombed In Lebanon

One of the four Ghanaian soldiers who was critically injured when the United Nations peacekeeping battalion base in Southern Lebanon was hit by missile attacks last Friday is in stable condition after undergoing a successful hip and leg surgery in Beirut.

Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Defence Minister, who revealed this in a Facebook post over the weekend, said the Ghanaian soldier suffered serious injuries to both legs and the hip in the attack, but he is currently recuperating after surgery on Saturday.

He said the other three Ghanaian soldiers who were also injured by the missile attack are currently in stable condition and are recovering well.

The Ghanaian soldiers are part of the UN security personnel on a peace mission in Lebanon.

The headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) came under attack on Friday, amidst a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

The missile attack left the Ghanaian peacekeepers injured and damaged the facility.
The deputy defence minister said some personnel also lost personal belongings, stating, “Unfortunately, fifteen officers lost all personal effects due to a fire outbreak at their accommodation”.

He, however, revealed that Ghana has lodged a formal complaint at UN Headquarters, underscoring the responsibility of parties in conflict to respect the space and safety of peacekeepers operating within the theatre.

The Minister acknowledged the solidarity expressed by France, whose Minister Delegate to the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Mrs Alice Rufo reached out in a telephone conversation to convey support.

“She indicated France has similarly raised concerns at UN Headquarters, as their peacekeepers are also deployed in Lebanon. Ghana deeply appreciates this gesture of solidarity and reiterates that all possible measures are being taken to protect our troops serving under the UN flag”.

The Government of Ghana has called for a “full, immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack on personnel deployed in the service of international peace and security”.

Lebanese Gov’t Condemns Attack

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has condemned the double missile strike on a Ghanaian Battalion position, describing the act as a “serious violation of international law”.

In a formal statement released on Saturday, 7th March, the Lebanese Ministry stressed that any assault on UN personnel undermines international efforts to maintain stability along the Lebanon–Israel border.

“This attack constitutes a serious violation of international law and the relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost of which is Resolution 1701,” the ministry stressed, reiterating its “categorical rejection of any targeting of peacekeepers performing a noble mission in the maintenance of international peace and security”, and expressing its full solidarity with the Republic of Ghana and the leadership of UNIFIL, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured soldiers,” the statement said.

UNIFIL has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike, as several countries join the chorus of condemnation.