Camp Shamrock - Irish peacekeepers base in Lebanon - hit by Russian-made rocket

The Chief of Staff for the Irish Defence Forces confirmed the incident

By: irishmirror.ie

Oct 31 2024
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Camp Shamrock - Irish peacekee

The base of hundreds of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon has been hit by a rocket, it has been confirmed.

The sprawling camp is home to almost 600 soldiers – including 338 from Ireland – and personnel are constantly working to make sure the site and the troops’ mission to keep the peace run as smoothly as possible.

Camp Shamrock - officially known as UNP 24-5 - is a constant hive of activity at the base – close to the border between Lebanon and Israel.

It was struck by a rocket last night and the Chief of Staff for the Irish Defence Forces confirmed the incident when speaking in Athlone this morning.

Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said: "It was our assessment the rocket was traveling from north to south into Israel."

"A lot of these are undirected, unguided and therefore unpredictable rockets, and they have been known to fall out, being taken down by the iron dome.

22/6/23 - Troops from the 122 infantry battalion taking part in an exercise to test their readiness to react to an emergency situation in their base, unp 245, known as camp shamrock in Southern Lebanon. — Troops from the 122 infantry battalion taking part in an exercise to test their readiness to react to an emergency situation in their base, unp 245, known as camp shamrock in Southern Lebanon. (Image: Mick O'Neill)

"It did fall in an unoccupied area of the actual camp itself and caused minimal, minimal damage on the ground." He said all Irish personnel are safe and well. The rocket was a Russian-made Katusha rocket.

The area where the camp is located is close to the so-called Blue Line, an effective border between the two countries, that was set up after the brutal war of 2006 between Shia Islamic armed group Hezbollah and Israel –and the Irish are there to protect the fragile peace.

That sees infantry and cavalry soldiers from the 122 Infantry Battalion, who started a six-month tour of duty in May, mounting regular patrols in the Irish area of operations – but those troops rely on a huge operation back at base to keep them safe and sound.

More to follow.

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