Irish troops return from 'one of the world's most difficult conflict zones' today
More than 100 Irish troops return home today after a six-month mission in Syria's Golan Heights.
The 103 soldiers have been on deployment with a UN observer force that monitors the disputed border with Israel.
They fly into Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel this afternoon.
They have been replaced by the 50th Infantry Group, which takes up its duties this morning on the Golan Heights.
Minister for Defence @simoncoveney reviewing @defenceforces 50th Infantry Group ahead of deployment to Golan Heights. pic.twitter.com/KBOFaU7IvP
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) September 21, 2015
Former Irish army officer Tom Clonan said that given the ongoing Syrian conflict, it is going to be a dangerous mission.
"With groups like Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Assad's forces, and now the Russians and the Americans involved, the area that the Irish have been in, it's the area that the Irish will continue to serve in, so it's front and centre in one of the world's most difficult conflict zones," he said.
