HEZBOLLAH–IDF CONFLICT AMONG KEY CHALLENGES FACED BY MALBATT 850-12 IN SOUTH LEBANON

SUBANG, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The armed conflict between Hezbollah and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) was among the toughest challenges faced by members of the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-12 during their peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.

MALBATT 850-12 Commander Col. Johan Effendi Mohd Shalleh recalled one of the most harrowing incidents, when six personnel were injured in an attack while travelling from Rafiq Hariri Airport to their operational camp.

Despite these dangers, he expressed gratitude that all 854 Malaysian troops deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since November last year returned home safely without any loss of life.

“We completed a full year of operations in Lebanon and Alhamdulillah, all missions were carried out successfully and we returned without any fatalities,” he told reporters during the Fourth Contingent Reception Ceremony at the Subang Air Base today.

The fourth and final group of 209 MALBATT 850-12 personnel, who flew in on an AirAsia flight together with seven members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB), landed at the base at 5.30 pm.

Johan Effendi said that throughout the year-long mission, MALBATT underwent several operational phases, beginning with intense cross-border fire exchanges between the IDF and Hezbollah, which affected both UNIFIL contingents and local support for the mission.

“To rebuild that trust, we implemented Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects and MALBATT successfully carried out 1,057 activities, the highest number ever achieved,” he said.

He added that mental health assessments were conducted every three to six months, as well as before redeployment home.

“All our personnel are in good condition with no reported issues,” he said.

Johan Effendi noted that emotional strain, particularly those missing family members, was one of the most significant personal challenges faced by the troops.

“Of course, we missed our families. Those who are married missed their spouses and children, and the single ones missed their parents. But what matters most is that we completed our duties and returned safely,” he said.

-- BERNAMA