Syrian army shells hold up UN retrieval of peacekeepers

The UN doesn't show any outrage, just "hopes" for a brief ceasefire so it would allow the retrieval.

BEIRUT (JPost) - Intense Syrian army bombardment prevented a convoy of United Nations vehicles on Friday from reaching and retrieving 21 UN peacekeepers seized by rebels near the Golan Heights two days ago, a rebel spokesman said.

Abu Essam Taseel said the convoy had reached the village of Nafea, about a kilometer (half a mile) east of Jamla where the Filipino peacekeepers were held on Wednesday, but was unable to venture further because of the bombardment.

At the United Nations, peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said he hoped a brief ceasefire could be reached between the rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar Assad to allow the UN men to be taken to safety.

"Our 21 peacekeepers are detained in the village of Jamla. Apparently they are safe, they have been spread into four locations within that village, in the basements of various houses," Ladsous said after briefing the Security Council.

"That particular village (Jamla) is subject to intense shelling by the Syrian armed forces."

"As of now there is perhaps a hope ... there is the possibility that a ceasefire of a few hours can intervene which would allow for our people to be released."

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