WEST ASIA CONFLICT: MALAYSIA SHOULD MAINTAIN PEACEKEEPING COMMITMENT IN LEBANON - EXPERTS

By Nur Syahidayah Mahasan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should maintain its commitment to the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon despite rising tensions in the region following the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a geostrategy expert says.

Geostrategist and Senior Fellow at the Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research (NASR), Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, said that in the context of conflict in West Asia, the presence of peacekeeping forces, including the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), acts as a deterrent that helps reduce the risk of continued attacks.

He said that when ceasefire agreements are reached, the deployment of peacekeepers is typically crucial, and if the parties involved in the conflict, including the United States, Israel and Iran, agree, peacekeeping forces are often stationed along borders or in conflict areas.

“Their presence functions as a restraining force to prevent further attacks, including at strategic locations such as Tehran, Iran’s nuclear facilities and its oil reserves.

“In this way, UN peacekeepers help contain the risk of renewed hostilities and maintain stability in critical areas,” he told Bernama recently.

Azmi noted that Malaysia has previously played an active role in peacekeeping missions in several conflict zones, including Lebanon, Mindanao and the Democratic Republic of Congo, under mandates from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Malaysia is among the countries at the forefront in contributing personnel and military equipment for UN-mandated peacekeeping missions,” he said.

Malaysia’s participation through MALBATT, he said, is also important in demonstrating the country’s commitment to international peace mandates.

“It is important for Malaysia to maintain its commitment in Lebanon as it signals that although we are a small country, Malaysia can be relied upon to provide UN-mandated peacekeeping forces,” he said.

Azmi noted that tense conditions in the UNIFIL operational area are not new, as Malaysian peacekeepers have previously faced critical situations but were still able to carry out their mission.

However, any decision to withdraw MALBATT or redeploy peacekeeping troops cannot be made unilaterally by Malaysia, as the mission mandate falls under the authority of the UNSC.

Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said security risks to peacekeepers, including MALBATT personnel, naturally increase when the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.

However, he noted that both sides involved in the conflict are generally aware of the locations of UN peacekeeping forces deployed in the area, which comprise personnel from various countries.

He said UNIFIL’s main role along the border is to act as a buffer zone to prevent direct clashes between the two sides, while also delivering humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the conflict.

“These peacekeepers serve as a buffer in the border area to prevent the conflict from escalating, while also helping residents affected in the region.

“However, in situations involving armed conflict such as rocket or drone attacks, there is always a possibility that peacekeepers could be exposed to collateral risks even if they are not the intended targets,” he said.

Mohd Azizuddin said the situation remains relatively controlled as long as there is no ground incursion across the border, although peacekeepers must remain vigilant about developments.

Prior to this, the MALBATT 850-13 contingent serving under UNIFIL in southern Lebanon said it has continued to strengthen its operational readiness, including in security, operational preparedness, logistics and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

In a Facebook statement, the unit said all personnel are trained to respond professionally and with discipline in any situation, in line with the principles of UNIFIL peacekeeping operations.

International media reports said Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since 2 March have killed hundreds following cross-border attacks involving Hezbollah.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that nearly 700,000 people have been displaced across Lebanon in just over a week as the conflict intensifies.

-- BERNAMA