Latvian Soldiers Unharmed Amid Rocket Attack in Lebanon

Latvian Soldiers Unharmed in Recent Attack in Lebanon

Defense Minister Andris Sprūds announced that Latvian soldiers were not injured in a recent attack in Lebanon. This incident occurred at a UN peacekeeping base in Shama, where two rockets exploded. Four Italian soldiers were injured in the attack.

Minister Sprūds condemned the strikes against the UN mission and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Latvian soldiers are serving in the same base.

The rockets are believed to have been fired by Hezbollah militants. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated, with ongoing exchanges of rocket fire for over a year.

This attack is not an isolated incident; a similar attack in late October resulted in eight Austrian soldiers being lightly injured while serving in the UN peacekeeping forces.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon aims to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and support the Lebanese government. Initially, three staff officers from Latvia were deployed to the international operation, with plans to expand the contingent by sending an infantry unit of about 30 soldiers.