Irish troops returning this evening

A hundred Irish troops who have been serving with the United Nations in the Golan Heights are due back at Dublin airport this evening following a six month tour of duty.

Irish troops have been deployed in the region since 2013 and have helped the UN maintain a ceasefire between Israel and Syria and enforce a 1974 UN resolution in the area.

The returning 50th Infantry Batallion were the fifth Irish contingent to be deployed on a six-month tour of duty with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

UNDOF was established in the Golan Heights following the Six Day War between Israel, Syria and Egypt in 1973, but the region has become increasingly unstable in recent times.

The troops provide armoured force protection for UNDOF personnel, and provide support for observation posts throughout the area of separation.