July 18, 2013

Tikoitoga confirms dates

July 17, 2013 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom
By MAIKA BOLATIKI

160 Fijian soldiers will leave on 26th July for the Golan Heights.

This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun at Rewa District School yesterday by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Land Force Commander, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga.

He said a farewell church service was accorded to them at Queen Elizabeth’s Barracks (QEB) yesterday.

“The UN had wanted our soldiers to be at the Golan Heights on 19 July but this has changed as we’re awaiting the arrival of the UN chartered flight,” Colonel Tikoitoga said.

He confirmed that a further 160 soldiers would depart a few days after the deployment on 26 July.

Russian help
When asked about the help by Russia that was announced by the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, in the Solomon Islands two weeks ago, Colonel Tikoitoga said the agreement was on a political level.

However, he said they would meet to discuss the type of equipment that needed to be purchased.

Colonel Tikoitoga said the government had already bought all the equipment needed by the RFMF for the Golan Heights deployment.

However, he said the RFMF was happy with the offer from Russia.

Golan work
Colonel Tikoitoga said the group at the Golan Heights had started their public relations programme with the local community.

He said the soldiers were getting the support of the locals and their relationship was very good.

The Land Force Commander said the soldiers at the Golan Heights were in good health and have adapted well to the situation there.

3 Mortar Shells Hit Golan Heights
Meanwhile Freed Daily Israel has reported that three mortar shells hit open areas on Tuesday morning near the security fence separating Israel from Syria in the northern Golan Heights. No injuries were reported.

Israeli soldiers were sent to the scene. The spokesperson for the Office of the Israel Defense Forces said mortars were apparently part of the fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces.

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