Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been briefed on the capture of 44 Fijian troops by the Al Nusra Front – a rebel group in Syria.
The troops who were on peace keeping duties in the Golan Heights were taken by the rebels last week after they confronted the Fijians.
Military Commander Brigadier General Mosese Tikoitoga this morning informed Bainimarama of the situation on the ground in Syria and what steps are being taken to secure the release of the Fijian troops.
The Al Nusra Front is affiliated with Al Qaeda and has been involved in the Syrian civil war, fighting Bashar Al-Assad’s military.
Pictures of the Fijians were released by Al Nusra on Saturday.
In its statement, the group criticised the UN for putting the rebel group under chapter 7, which means that it is deemed a “threat to peace” and that military action can be taken towards it.
Al Nusra also accused the UN of not taking action against Syrian regime crimes, adding that capture of peacekeepers was a retiliation to “the UN crimes against Syrian people”.
The group confirmed that the detainees are in good health and safe.
