United Nations:
The UN today said it has "relocated" its peacekeepers from several positions on the Golan Heights as the security situation continues to deteriorate, with armed groups posing a direct threat to their safety.
The situation in United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Syrian side and the area of separation has deteriorated severely over the last several days, spokesperson of the UN Secretary General said in a statement. "Armed groups have made advances in the area of UNDOF positions, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of the UN Peacekeepers along the 'Bravo' line and in Camp Faouar.
"All the UN personnel in these positions have thus been relocated to the 'Alpha' side," it said.
The UN peacekeepers have been relocated to the Israeli side of the border.
The UN said the observer force continues to use all available assets to carry out its mandated tasks in this "exceptionally challenging environment".
Peacekeepers serving with UNDOF, monitor the 1974 disengagement accord between Syria and Israel after their 1973 war.
In June, the Security Council extended the mission's mandate until 31 December 2014.
As of July 2014, there are 1,223 peacekeepers from six countries - Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal, Netherlands, and the Philippines - serving in UNDOF.
The situation in the region has been deteriorating. Last month, Syrian rebels, including fighters from the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, had stormed the crossing Al Qunaytirah, sparking an exchange of gunfire with Israeli troops.
Forty-five Fijian peacekeepers were detained on August 28 by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Al Qunaytirah. They were released last week.
In a separate incident, 72 Filipino peacekeepers had also been surrounded by armed elements in two different locations in the Golan and were later safely relocated.