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The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Zone was an international peacekeeping force established by the United Nations after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 350 on the same day the "Agreement on Disengagement" (S/11302/Add.1, annexes I and II) was signed between Israel and Syria regarding forces on the Golan Heights on 31 May 1974.

The Resolution brought a conclusion to the cease fire which ended the 1973 Yom Kippur War. UNDOF continued its mandate into the 21st Century. That mandate has been renewed every six months since 1974. Under that mandate, UNDOF maintained the only military presence in that zone and continually monitored the cease fire. No serious incidents took place in the zone during UNDOF's mandate.

History

On 6 Oct 1973, the Yom Kippur War broke out with hostilities between Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Suez Canal area and the Sinai, and between Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights. The United Nations passed Security Council Resolution 338 on 22 Oct 1973 calling for a cease fire. Egyptian forces broke the terms of the cease fire two days later, leading to Resolution 339 and the implementation of United Nations Emergency Force II between Israeli and Egyptian armies in the Suez Canal area.

Resolution 339 primarily reaffirmed the terms of Resolution 338 (itself based on Resolution 242), including the return of forces to their original positions at the time of the initial cease fire, and a request from the United Nations Secretary-General to undertake measures toward the placement of observers to supervise the cease fire.

While tension remained high between Israel and Syria, the US undertook diplomatic initiatives leading to the "Agreement on Disengagement" (S/11302/Add.1, annexes I and II) between Israeli and Syrian forces, providing a buffer zone and two equal areas of limitation of forces and armaments. A UN observer force was also established the same day as the agreement was signed, 31 May 1974.

Geography

The buffer zone is about 80 km long and from 0.5 to 10 km wide. The zone separates the Golan Heights and Syria where the Golan Heights border is known as Line "Alpha" and the Syrian border is known as Line "Bravo". The zone also borders Lebanon to the north ("Blue line") and forms a border less than 1 km with Jordan to the south.

The region consistes of hilly terrain, with the highest point in the zone at Mount Hermon (elevation 2814m) on the Lebanese border.

UNDOF

The initial composition of the UNDOF in 1974 was of personnel from Austria, Peru, Canada and Poland. Later, other nationalities including Finland, India, Japan, Nepal, and Slovakia contributed troops, who were also assisted by military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization's Observer Group Golan as well as international and local civilian staff.

UNDOF deployed within and close to the separation zone with two base camps, 44 permanently manned positions and 11 observation posts, with an operational headquarters at Camp Faouar and an office in Damascus. Two battalions monitor the separation zone with logistic units peforming second-line general transport, maintenance and supply tasks.

2006 Map of the UNDOF zone.

Mandate

The activities of UNDOF include:

Overall supervision of the buffer zone
Monitoring of Syrian and Israeli military presence in the area (from permanent observation posts and by patrols day and night, on foot and motorised)
Intervention in cases of entry to the separation area by military personnel from either side, or attempted operations
Bi-weekly inspections of 500 Israeli and Syrian military locations in the areas of limitation on each side to ensure agreed limits of equipment and forces are being followed
Assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross in the passing of mail and people through the area, and in the provision of medical services
Identifying and marking of minefields
Promotion of minefield awareness amongst civilians and support of the United Nations Children�s Fund activities in this area
Work to protect the environment and to minimise the impact of the UNDOF on the area.

Canadian Involvement

The Canadian contribution to UNDOF consisted of a 220-man logistics company designated the Canadian Contingent (CCUNDOF). This contribution was referred to as Operation DANACA, and was based at Camp Ziouani in Israeli territory, with some troops and individual observer and staff officers also serving adjacent to the separation area as well as in Damascus itself at UNDOF HQ. In 1992-93, the contingent was reduced from 220 members per tour to 180.

Insignia

Canadian forces deployed to UNDOF were distinguished by the use of UN blue headdress and cap badges; all vehicles were also painted white and marked with United Nations markings.

Ninety days service as part of UNDOF after 31 May 1974 entitled a Canadian Forces member to the UNDOF Medal. The ribbon consisted of nine stripes: burgundy (9 mm), white (3 mm), black 1 mm), UN blue (4 mm), a thin burgundy central stripe (1 mm) UN blue (4 mm), black (1 mm), white (3 mm), and burgundy (9 mm). By July 1993, 7,900 medals had been awarded to Canadians.

Fatalities

Four Canadian service personnel died while serving with UNDOF in the 20th Century; from 1974 to 2006 41 soldiers and one civilian of all nations had died serving on the mission.

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