UNIFIL: Weapons outside State control is a violation of Resolution 1701
Below is a UNIFIL statement issued on Sunday, March 15, 2026:
Today, UNIFIL peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, on three separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases in Yatar, Dayr Kifa and Qallawiyah.
The fire in Yatar hit as close as five metres from the peacekeepers. The sources of fire in the two other incidents were about 100 and 200 metres away, respectively.
Two patrols returned fire in self-defence and after brief exchanges, the patrols resumed their planned activities. No peacekeeper was injured.
The presence of weapons outside State control in the UNIFIL area of operations is a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
It is unacceptable that peacekeepers performing Security Council-mandated tasks be targeted.
We strongly remind all actors of their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times, and to take all necessary measures to prevent harm to civilians.
Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Resolution 1701 and may amount to a war crime.
