Two Ghanaian soldiers serving under the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon have been critically injured after their base came under missile attack amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East.
According to a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces on Thursday, the Ghanaian Battalion Headquarters serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Southern Lebanon was struck during ongoing exchanges between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah.
The attack reportedly occurred between 1745 and 1752 hours local time when two missiles hit the Ghanaian position.
The military said two soldiers sustained critical injuries while another soldier was traumatised in the incident.
“The Officers’ Mess facility was also hit and has been completely burnt down,” the statement said.
According to the military high command, the injured personnel are currently receiving treatment at a Level One Medical Bunker and are said to be in stable condition. Arrangements are also being made to evacuate them to the UNIFIL Headquarters Referral Hospital for further medical care.
Despite the attack, the Ghana Armed Forces has assured the Ghanaian public that the situation is under control, explaining that troops stationed at the location are currently safe in underground bunkers.
The development comes as tensions continue to escalate in Southern Lebanon following renewed exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, raising concerns about the safety of international peacekeepers operating in the conflict zone.
Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has formally protested the incident through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Authorities in Accra have urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and protection of peacekeepers operating under the UN mission.
The statement was signed by Veronica Adzo Arhin, a Captain in the Ghana Navy and Acting Director-General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces.
Ghana has been a longstanding contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, with hundreds of its troops currently serving in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon aimed at maintaining stability along the Israel–Lebanon border.
