Parliament yesterday was been informed that the heightened security level in Sinai has forced changes in Fijian peacekeeping operations.

Minister for Defence, National Security and Immigration, Timoci Natuva said the situation in Sinai was unstable.

He said there had been clashes between the Egyptian Armed Forces and various extremist militant armed forces affiliated with ISIS which had altered various MFO operations in Sinai.

Mr Natuva made these comments while responding to a question posed by member Samuela Vunivalu on the issue in Parliament yesterday.

“The MFO main mission is to observe, verify and report; this mission still remains however they have a new task in monitoring these exposures through MFO infrastructure, instillation and personal vulnerabilities,” Mr Natuva said.

“The MFO operation mandate coinciding with the situation level now had demanded the restricted movement in the Northern area of operations; the Fiji contingent continues with their tasking of Force Protection and escorts to the civilian observers unit.”

Mr Natuva said due to the volatile situation in Sinai; Fijian troops deployed to certain remote areas had been relocated to the MFO’s headquarters in Al Gora, Northern camp and the bases had been shut down as well.

He said MFO had reassured their support for Fijian troops serving in Sinai in the various tasking of deployment and the reconfiguration of operations.

Mr Natuva said MFO had advanced military equipments to safeguard Fijian troops based in various remote areas in Northern Sinai.

“MFO has also praised our Fijian troops that served in Sinai and currently serving there for their services and courageous act under the circumstances they are currently in.”

Mr Natuva congratulated, Lieutenant Colonel, Avinish Kumar for being the first Indo-Fijian taking up the post of Commanding Officer 2FIR with Fiji’s troops in Sinai.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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