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| Observation tower overlooking the Golan Heights |
(CNN) -- U.N. forces
withdrew Monday from the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan Heights, the world
body confirmed. The U.N.
statement cited the "exceptionally challenging environment" posed by
armed rebel groups advancing on peacekeeping positions its observer force has
held for close to four decades.
The
confirmation comes hours after a journalist working for CNN saw dozens of
peacekeeping vehicles crossing into territory controlled by Israel. The withdrawal
comes a little more than two weeks after Islamic militant fighters took some
peacekeepers hostage and besieged others.
Al-Nusra
Front freed 45 U.N. peacekeepers from Fiji in good condition
last week, while forces from the Philippines escaped after exchanging fire with
militant fighters, according to media reports. The
incidents occurred after Syrian rebel fighters took control of the only border crossing between
Israel and Syria in the Syrian town of Quneitra in late August.
U.N.
forces have been stationed in the Golan Heights since 1974 following
negotiations between Israel and Syria to reduce tensions along their shared
border after hostilities in 1973. Israel has occupied a portion of the
territory since seizing it during its 1967 war with Egypt, Jordan and Syria.
The U.N.
Disengagement Observer Force includes 1,250 troops from six countries. In addition
to Fiji and the Philippines, India, Nepal, Ireland and the Netherlands have
troops assigned to the force.
Austrian
troops who had been taking part in the forces in 2013 pulled out after fighting
in the Syrian-controlled Golan Heights between rebels and Syrian government
forces.
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