Toronto
16°C, Sunny with Clouds

 
1
CTV map detailing the location of the Golan Heights. Canadian soldiers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force line-up at their base in Camp Ziouani on the disengagement line between Israel and Syria during a handover ceremony in the Golan Heights on Friday. The Canadian Forces finished Canada's thirty-two year contribution to the mission Friday handing over operations to the Indian Army, with more than 12,000 soldiers serving since 1974. (AP / Kevin Frayer) Indian Army soldiers wave goodbye to Canadian soldiers as they leave on buses following a handover ceremony on Friday, March 24, 2006. The Canadian Forces finished the mission and handed over operations to the Indian Army. (AP / Kevin Frayer)

Canada pulls out of Golan Heights after 30 years

Viewer

CTV News Video

Canada AM: Lt.-Col. Sylvain Mongeon from Tiberius
CAN24_golan

A A |  Email ThisEmail  | Print Facebook   

Date: Fri. Mar. 24 2006 10:44 AM ET

After maintaining a presence for more than 30 years, the Canadian military handed over its responsibilities in the Golan Heights to India today.

The region has been relatively stable in recent years, and the commanders say the Canadian resources can now be redirected to other operations.

The deployment is being reduced from the current 191 soldiers to four, and will be dropped to two by the end of July.

Lt.-Col. Sylvain Mongeon, the Canadian commander of the Operation Danaca task force, said the departure is bittersweet.

"I think they're leaving with a mixture of pride and sadness," said Mongeon, speaking from Tiberius, Israel.

"We all do our duty and we've been told the mission is going to end, but as far as we're concerned these last few weeks have been excellent and people are leaving very much on a high note."

The Canadian soldiers have provided logistics support to the mission. Their work included maintaining vehicles, providing communications services and military policing.

"The job that we're doing over here is actually one of support," said Mongeon.

"We do second line support and the successes are varied. When you're doing this type of work it's not at the front end… whether it's fixing vehicles, providing them with fuel, water and food, and many other aspects as well."

Canada first accepted a role in the region in 1974, joining the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) that was established after Syria and Israel agreed to a ceasefire.

Over the years, Canada has had 12,000 troops stationed in the region and has incurred 21 fatalities.

Share with your social Network:

Facebook DIGG Newsvine Delicious Twitter StumbeUpon Reddit Yahoo! Buzz

 

Advertisement

Contest

Today's Canada AM Stories

Canadians rescued, sailors, Left to right: Mitchell, 29, West, 9, and Bradley James, 32, address media following their rescue off the coast of Hawaii, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.

Three Canadian sailors rescued off coast of Hawaii

More   28 Comments 28    7 Video(s) 7

Sub.-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle is escorted from provincial court in Halifax on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.

Moscow spy case details may never be known

More   6 Comments 6    2 Video(s) 2

Bradley James, West James and Mitchell James, speak to Canada AM, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

Boy, 9, recalls harrowing rescue from stormy Pacific

More   1 Comments 1    6 Video(s) 6

Most Talked about Stories

I think he was pushed to take matters into his own hands. I have a teenage son and if he was involved with a drug dealer I would be furious and try anything to save him like this father did for his daughter. Why do police often say they can't do anything until it's too late? Whether it be a drug dealer or an abusive spouse, the police can't seem to do anything until something really bad happens. In this case they could have raided the drug dealers home and arrested him. The whole town knew what was going on in that house but yet the police chose to do nothing. Release this man and give him a medal for doing the right thing by his daughter. I can't wait to see the episode on W5, I will certainly be watching this one.

Shelley

W5: How far would you go to save your child?