UN peacekeepers fired on during patrols in southern Lebanon

UN peacekeepers say their patrols came under fire three times on Sunday in southern Lebanon.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said the incidents occurred while troops were carrying out routine patrols near their bases.

“Today, Unifil peacekeepers were fired upon, likely by non-state armed groups, on three separate occasions while conducting patrols around their bases,” the mission said in a statement.

According to Unifil, two patrols returned fire “in self-defense and after brief exchanges, the patrols resumed their planned activities”.

The peacekeeping force said no personnel were injured in the incidents, which come just two days after another Unifil position in the south was hit by gunfire.