Post by Daniel on Apr 13, 2016 8:59:54 GMT -5
US admits it plans to withdraw Sinai peacekeepers
By Arutz Sheva Staff
4/12/2016
The Pentagon has confirmed reports it plans to cut the number of US peacekeeping troops in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, partly because of the growing threat from the Islamic State group, an official said Tuesday.
About 700 US troops participate in a UN operation established after Israel and Egypt signed a 1979 peace deal and agreed for a Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) mission to monitor compliance.
The mission has historically been somewhat low-key, but in recent months attacks from IS jihadists have put forces on a state of constant high alert.
In September for instance, a roadside bombing injured six peacekeepers including four Americans.
Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the Pentagon remains "fully committed" to the MFO mission but wants to use drones and other high-tech tools to assume some of the riskier work.
"I don't think anyone is talking about a wholesale withdrawal, I think we are just going to look at the number of people we have there and see if there are functions that can be automated," Davis said.
continue reading
www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210784
By Arutz Sheva Staff
4/12/2016
The Pentagon has confirmed reports it plans to cut the number of US peacekeeping troops in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, partly because of the growing threat from the Islamic State group, an official said Tuesday.
About 700 US troops participate in a UN operation established after Israel and Egypt signed a 1979 peace deal and agreed for a Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) mission to monitor compliance.
The mission has historically been somewhat low-key, but in recent months attacks from IS jihadists have put forces on a state of constant high alert.
In September for instance, a roadside bombing injured six peacekeepers including four Americans.
Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the Pentagon remains "fully committed" to the MFO mission but wants to use drones and other high-tech tools to assume some of the riskier work.
"I don't think anyone is talking about a wholesale withdrawal, I think we are just going to look at the number of people we have there and see if there are functions that can be automated," Davis said.
continue reading
www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210784
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