Golan (Israel/Syria)
June 2023
On 29 June, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2689, renewing the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan (UNDOF) mandate for six months, until 31 December 2023.
On 15 June, the Council members received a briefing in closed consultations on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the activities of the UNDOF (S/2023/400) and the implementation of resolution 338. The report covered the activities of UNDOF from 21 February 2023 to 20 May 2023. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed.
March 2023
On 29 March, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the work of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and recent developments based on the Secretary-General’s report (S/2023/203), which covered the period from 21 November 2022 to 20 February 2023.
December 2022
On 22 December, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2671, which renewed the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan for six months (S/PV.9234).
On 8 December, Council members received a briefing in closed consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report (S/2022/887) on the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the implementation of resolution 338. The report covered the activities of UNDOF from 21 August to 20 November 2022. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed.
October 2022
On 17 October, the Council held its quarterly consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan (UNDOF). Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the Council on the Secretary-General’s report (S/2022/711). The report covered the activities of UNDOF from 21 May to 20 August 2022.
June 2022
On 21 June, Council members held consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Mohamed Khaled Khiari provided the briefing. On 27 June, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2639, renewing the UNDOF mandate for six months.
March 2022
On 30 March, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the work of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (Golan ).
December 2021
On 8 December, Council members held closed consultations on UNDOF (S/PV.8920). On 21 December, the Council adopted resolution 2613, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 30 June 2022.
October 2021
On 5 October, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the 90-day report by the Secretary-General on UNDOF and the most recent developments (S/2021/833).
June 2021
On 29 June, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2581, renewing the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) until 31 December.
March 2021
On 25 March, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the Secretary-General’s 90-day UNDOF report and the most recent developments.
December 2020
On 11 December, Council members held a closed VTC on UNDOF. On 18 December, the Council adopted resolution 2555, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 30 June 2021.
October 2020
On 2 October, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the 90-day report by the Secretary-General on UNDOF and the most recent developments.
June 2020
On 15 June, Security Council members held a closed VTC with troop-contributing countries of UNDOF. On 18 June, Council members held a closed VTC on UNDOF. On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2530, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 31 December 2020.
December 2019
On 12 December, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on UNDOF and the most recent developments. On 19 December, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2503, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 30 June 2020.
October 2019
On 16 October, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the 90-day report by the Secretary-General on UNDOF.
June 2019
On 11 June, the Council met with UNDOF troop-contributing countries and were briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on 17 June. On 26 June, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2477, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 31 December 2019.
March 2019
On 25 March, in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said on the same day that UN Secretary-General António Guterres considers “that the status of Golan has not changed.” Council members cancelled previously scheduled consultations and held a briefing on 27 March to discuss this as well as the report of the Secretary-General on UNDOF, covering the period from 21 November 2018 to 14 March 2019. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacekeeping Affairs, and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, briefed and representatives from Israel and Syria participated.
December 2018
On 11 December, Council members met with UNDOF troop-contributing countries and were briefed by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alexandre Zouev who also briefed Council members in consultations on 14 December. On 21 December, the Council adopted resolution 2450, renewing UNDOF’s mandate until 30 June 2019.
October 2018
On 16 October, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on the 90-day report by the Secretary-General on UNDOF.
June 2018
On 14 June, Council members met in consultations with troop-contributing countries to UNDOF. On 19 June, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the report of the Secretary-General and the activities of UNDOF. The Council adopted resolution 2426, renewing UNDOF’s mandate on 29 June.
March 2018
On 27 March, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Golan Heights.
December 2017
On 12 December, Council members met in consultations with troop-contributing countries to UNDOF. On 14 December, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Bintou Keita briefed Council members in consultations on the report on UNDOF for the period from 10 September to 24 November 2017. On 21 December, the Council adopted resolution 2394 renewing the mandate of UNDOF until 30 June 2018 (S/PV.8145).
October 2017
On 3 October, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members in consultations on the 27 September Secretary-General’s report.
June 2017
On 15 June, Council members met with UNDOF TCCs. On 19 June, Council members held consultations on the Secretary-General’s 8 June report on UNDOF, covering 2 March to 16 May. On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2361 renewing UNDOF’s mandate for an additional six months.
March 2017
On 28 March, Council members held consultations on UNDOF. Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefed on the latest developments. Council members called on all parties to adhere to the Disengagements Forces Agreement. Furthermore and welcomed UNDOF’s return to the Bravo side as well as the UN’s efforts to ensure security.
December 2016
On 19 December, the Council adopted resolution 2330 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 13 December consultations.
September 2016
On 29 September, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations briefed Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s UNDOF report.
June 2016
On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2294 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/520) on the observer mission during 22 June consultations. Both the report and the resolution noted the UN’s plan for the phased redeployment of UNDOF to vacated positions, security conditions permitting.
April 2016
On 26 April, Council members were briefed under “any other business” by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Taye Brook Zerihoun on the Golan Heights. The briefing was requested by Egypt, on behalf of the Arab League, following remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Golan Heights will remain forever under Israeli sovereignty. The Golan Heights were captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and were illegally annexed by Israel; under international law, it is considered an occupied territory. In elements to the press, Council members stressed the status of the Golan Heights remains unchanged.
March 2016
On 30 March, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations briefed Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s UNDOF report.
December 2015
On 22 December, the Council adopted resolution 2257, renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 17 December consultations.
September 2015
On 17 September, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations briefed Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s UNDOF report.
June 2015
On 29 June, the Council adopted resolution 2229 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 23 June consultations. Separately, Major General Michael Finn briefed the Council on peacekeeping on 17 June on how national caveats impact UNTSO’s ability provide UNDOF with military observers able to deploy to the Syrian side of the area of separation (S/PV.7464).
March 2015
On 24 March, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations briefed Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s UNDOF report.
December 2014
On 18 December 2014, the Council adopted resolution 2192 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 17 December consultations (S/2014/859).
October 2014
On 9 October, the Council held a public briefing by UN force commanders during which Major General Iqbal Singh Singha of UNDOF was invited to brief on how traditional mandates are carried out in a changed politico-military environment (S/PV.7275). On 20 October, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Edmond Mulet briefed Council members in consultations, following a 19 September presidential statement (S/PRST/2014/19) that requested an update on the steps necessary to maintain UNDOF’s ability to carry out its mandate while adjusting the mission’s posture to minimise risk to personnel. Discussions included the possible use of new technologies, such as unmanned, unarmed aerial vehicles or satellite imagery, to carry out monitoring tasks without exposing personnel to risk. Mulet said that both Israel and Syria were reluctant to grant authorisation for the use of such new technologies.
September 2014
Council members were briefed on 3 September by peacekeeping head Hervé Ladsous under “any other business” on a series of events that began on 27 August, when armed opposition forces overran government forces at the Quneitra crossing on the Syrian side of the armistice line. The next day, Al-Nusra Front detained 45 Fijian peacekeepers and besieged 72 Filipino peacekeepers. In response to the incidents, Council members released three press statements (SC/11540, SC/11546 and SC/11548). The Filipino peacekeepers quickly escaped, while the Fijian peacekeepers were held for two weeks only to be released on 11 September. On 17 September, Council members were briefed in consultations by Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmund Mulet on the regular UNDOF report (S/2014/665) and on the relocation of UNDOF personnel and equipment to the Alpha (Israeli) side of the mission’s area of operations. On 19 September, the Council adopted a presidential statement requesting the Secretary-General to update the Council within 30 days on the steps necessary to maintain UNDOF’s ability to carry out its mandate while adjusting the mission’s posture to minimise risk to personnel (S/PRST/2014/19).
August 2014
The Council issued a press statement on 28 August, that condemned the detention of 43 UNDOF peacekeepers by armed opposition groups and demanded their immediate and unconditional release. The Council issued a press statement on 30 August, that condemned continuing attacks on UNDOF positions, the detention of 44 Fijian peacekeepers by armed opposition groups and 40 Filipino peacekeepers surrounded by armed opposition groups, demanded their immediate and unconditional release as well as safe passage and welcomed news that 32 Filipino peacekeepers were extricated to safety.
June 2014
On 25 June, the Council adopted resolution 2163 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 18 June consultations (S/2014/401).
March 2014
Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet presented the Secretary-General’s most recent UNDOF report to Council members in consultations.
December 2013
On 18 December, the Council adopted resolution 2131 renewing UNDOF for six months after considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 16 December consultations.
September 2013
Council members were briefed in consultations on 19 September by DPKO on the Secretary-General’s report on UNDOF. Council members were informed that the ceasefire between Israel and Syria was generally maintained although there were violations attributable to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
June 2013
On 27 June the Council adopted resolution 2108 renewing UNDOF for six months after meeting with troop-contributing countries on 13 June and considering the Secretary-General’s report on the observer mission during 18 June consultations. Earlier in the month, the Council issued a press statement on 6 June condemning clashes between the Syrian government and armed opposition in the area of separation between Israel and Syria. The next day, 7 June, Council members were briefed in consultations by DPKO following these clashes and Austria’s subsequent announcement that it would withdraw its troops from UNDOF.
May 2013
The Council issued two press statements in May concerning Syrian opposition fighters detaining and later releasing UNDOF personnel (SC/11011 of 16 May and SC/10999 of 7 May). Finland sent a letter to the Council on 16 May expressing grave concern over the detention of a Finnish military observer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization on 15 May by members of an armed group in the Golan Heights.
March 2013
Following the detention of 21 UNDOF peacekeepers by armed Syrian opposition fighters, Council members held consultations on 6 March at which they agreed to a press statement condemning the event and demanding the unconditional and immediate release of the peacekeepers. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous updated Council members in consultations on the status of negotiations with those holding the peacekeepers on 8 March, and all 21 were released unharmed into Jordan on 9 March. In letters dated 11 March, Austria and the Philippines (the two largest UNDOF troop contributors) separately requested the Security Council to develop a mechanism to “guarantee” active dialogue between troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and the Council (S/2013/142 and S/2013/152). On 22 March, Council members met informally in an interactive dialogue format with the UNDOF TCCs to address their concerns. On 26 March, Council members met again in regularly scheduled consultations on UNDOF to consider the Secretary-General’s 19 March report on the mission. On 27 March, the Council adopted an additional press statement on UNDOF expressing grave concern over continued violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement and calling on all parties to respect the safety and security of UNDOF personnel.
December 2012
On 19 December, the Council adopted resolution 2084 renewing UNDOF for six months, requested reporting every 90 days (previously it had been every six months) and strengthened language regarding the security of UN personnel. Prior to the adoption, peacekeeping head Hervé Ladsous briefed Council members on 17 December in consultations on the most recent UNDOF report.
November 2012
On 9 November, the US circulated a draft press statement condemning repeated Syrian violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, but failed to achieve the consensus necessary among Council members to have a press statement issued.
October 2012
On 15 October, during the quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman noted that UNDOF had observed “an exchange of weapons between groups crossing the border into Syria from Lebanon” as well as “deadly incidents involving armed elements from Lebanon and Syria” in the UNDOF area of operations.
June 2012
On 27 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 2052 extending UNDOF for six months and noted that events elsewhere in Syria had started to manifest themselves in UNDOF’s area of responsibilities. On 21 June, Council members held consultations on the Secretary-General’s most recent UNDOF report and met with troop-contributing countries on 14 June.
December 2011
On 21 December, the Security Council adopted resolution 2028 extending UNDOF for six months. The resolution was a joint text by Russia and the US and noted that conditions in the region could impact UNDOF and also requested implementation of the Secretary-General’s recommendation to upgrade its equipment and infrastructure.
June 2011
On 30 June, the Council adopted resolution 1994 extending UNDOF for six months. On 23 June, the Council held consultations on the UNDOF report. Breaking from its practice since 1976, the Council dispensed with the traditional accompanying presidential statement and incorporated its language in the resolution about the wider tensions in the region. This resolution also referenced the 15 May incident when Israeli forces killed four civilians on the border between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights when crowds of Palestinian refugees living in Syria crossed the border in an unprecedented action during annual al-Nakba protests.
December 2010
On 22 December, the Council adopted resolution 1965 extending UNDOF for six months.
September 2010
On 28 September, Walid Muallem, the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an address to the General Assembly that Syria was willing to resume peace negotiations on the return of the Golan with Israel via Turkish mediation. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Muallem on the sidelines of the General Assembly on 27 September.
June 2010
On 30 June, the Council adopted resolution 1934 extending UNDOF for six months. The 9 June UNDOF report noted that the ceasefire had been maintained and that the area of operation had remained generally quiet.
December 2009
On 16 December the Council adopted resolution 1899 extending UNDOF for six months following consideration of the Secretary-General’s report.
June 2009
On 19 June the Council held consultations on the UNDOF report. On 23 June the Council adopted a resolution renewing the UNDOF mandate for six months, although it appears that some members proposed a one year extension. (The Council has renewed UNDOF every six months since its establishment in 1974.)
May 2009
The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations undertook a technical review of UNDOF.
May 2008
On 28 May, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process confirmed the existence of indirect Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations in a briefing to the Council. On 21 May, Israel and Syria confirmed rumours that they had been indirectly negotiating with Turkey’s mediation.
September 2007
Israel launched an air strike against a site inside Syria on 6 September. This was confirmed by US sources. The Israeli government remained silent about the incident. Later, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the Israeli jets targeted empty military buildings.
January 2000
Peace talks between Israel and Syria took place in the US city of Shepherdstown between 3 and 9 January. The talks were indefinitely postponed due to procedural impasse, which reflected a fundamental disagreement over the Golan Heights.
1996
Peace talks between Israel and Syria broke down several months after the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Talks were frozen over contrasting interpretations of Rabin’s offer to Syria before his death. Syrians said Rabin had promised to return the Golan Heights, while Israelis countered that no such definitive promise had been made.
1992
In order to reduce expenditure, UNDOF was streamlined, with a 15 percent reduction of each military contingent and civilian staff.
October 1991
The first of sporadic peace talks took place between Syria and Israel at the Middle East peace conference in Madrid. The talks remained stalled over the issue of the Golan Heights.
December 1981
The Golan Heights was annexed by Israel on 14 December. The area was put under Israeli law, and settlements were established. The annexation has not been recognised by the international community.
1979
The Observer Group Golan was created. It comprises the UNTSO observers assisting UNDOF and falls under the supervision and operational control of UNDOF.
November 1974
On 30 November, the initial six-month mandate of UNDOF expired. Since then, the mandate has been repeatedly extended by the Council upon recommendation of the Secretary-General.
31 May 1974
Syria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement over the Golan on 31 May, which provided for an area of separation and for two equal zones of limited forces and armaments on both sides of the area. Israel partially withdrew and the Security Council, through resolution 350, established UNDOF to implement the agreement. UNTSO’s ceasefire observation in the Syria-Israel sector was terminated and 90 observers already assigned to this sector were allocated to UNDOF as an integral part of the force.
October 1973
On 22 October, the Security Council adopted resolution 338, calling for a ceasefire between the parties and implementation of resolution 242.
October 1973
On 6 October, the Yom Kippur War broke out when Egypt and Syria launched coordinated attacks on Israeli positions in the Sinai Peninsula and on the Golan Heights, seeking to regain the lost territory.
1967-73
Political confrontations between Israel and its Arab neighbours increased the risks of a conflict renewal.
5-10 June 1967
Israel launched what it described as a pre-emptive strike against the Egyptian Air Force in the belief that Egypt and Syria were planning to invade. Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria and Jordan, and captured the Golan Heights from Syria (along with the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt, and East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan).
1949
The Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission was set up. A number of UNTSO posts along the Armistice Demarcation Line were established but incidents continued to occur until the June 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
June 1948
The first group of military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), the first UN peacekeeping operation, arrived in the Middle East in order to supervise the Armistice Agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbours, following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
