Peacekeepers ‘ready’ for deployment in ‘volatile’ southern Lebanon

Irish peacekeepers are ready to deploy to southern Lebanon despite the “volatile” situation on the ground.

Members of the 128th Infantry Battalion have been taking part in a “mission readiness exercise” in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow, which saw them test different scenarios they may see in deployment including live fire, ambushes, patrolling and casualty evacuations.

They will be deploying to Lebanon in May, in what will be the last major operational deployment before the Unifil mandate expires at the end of the year.

Lieutenant Zara Bolger said there were some feelings of nervousness and excitement among personnel, but also “confidence in our training”.

She told the Press Association that serving overseas is the “pinnacle” of a military career.

“We feel lucky to have been selected for – potentially – the last (operational mission), as far as we’re aware,” she said.

“We just want to make sure we do a good job and hopefully hand it off to whomever in the best way possible.”

On Thursday, personnel conducted a counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) exercise where a vehicle on patrol simulated being struck by a bomb.

Others in the convoy had to recover the struck vehicle and provide medical aid to the “casualties” inside.

It was a particularly relevant test given the presence of unexploded ordnance and IEDs in southern Lebanon.

Lt Bolger said recent focus in training has been on C-IED and “denial of freedom of movement”.

She said: “We’ve put a lot of time and effort into honing in on those drills.”

Of ongoing concern is Israel’s destruction of bridges over the Litani River, limiting access to Unifil’s area of operations.

The Officer Commanding of the 128th Infantry Battalion said “all courses of action” around deployment are being examined.

Lieutenant Colonel Damian Carroll told reporters: “I’ve no concerns in that regard, planning will continue – and we’re ready to deploy in whatever manner they decide.”

He said the situation on the ground is “volatile” but added that Unifil is still fulfilling its mandate.

He said he was assured by a recent rotation of Irish and Polish personnel out through Beirut airport.

At the end of last month, the Defence Forces carried out its first personnel rotation in a conflict zone using the new “strategic reach” capability of recently acquired aircraft.

Asked about recent deaths of peacekeepers in the region, Lt Col Carroll offered condolences to the affected families and said: “Conflict zones are difficult.

“We wouldn’t have soldiers in south Lebanon if it wasn’t complex.”

He said he trusted the training of the battalion and the personnel themselves, adding they had “trained for all eventualities”.

“It is a dynamic environment, it is complex. But we have to believe – we have to trust our training, trust our equipment, trust our people,” he said.

The UN Security Council mandate for the mission expires on December 31, followed by a 12-month drawdown and ultimate liquidation.

After May, there will also be a rotation of Irish personnel in November – which is expected to have a larger logistical footprint to deal with the end of the mission.

There will still be a requirement for a “heavy security footprint”, but the personnel will likely be dealing with multiple convoys carrying Irish equipment as well as force protection as the installations are collapsed.

Addressing the “poignancy” of the end of the mission, Lt Col Carroll said: “The Defence Forces has been there for 50 years. Soldiers have lost their lives in Lebanon.

“Ireland and Lebanon will be intertwined irrespective of what happens in the future, based on the service of Unifil.”

He said overseas deployment has been the highlight of his career, and that any future mission is a matter for the Government.

Also among those deploying is Private Michael Jr. Chucks, who said there were high spirits about the mission.

He said: “We’re well trained for it… I think everyone feels confident about the training we’re getting.”

He said he was excited about his first mission, but added the overall drawdown may be difficult for colleagues: “We (the Defence Forces) have nearly built a family out there as well – so leaving it will be rough for some people.”

The 128th Infantry Battalion is deploying with 344 personnel from the Irish Defence Forces, some of whom are seasoned officers while others are on their first overseas mission.

They will deploy in May and take over duties from the 127th Infantry Battalion who were deployed in November, 2025.