Officer of the Center participates in the Military Observer Mission in Syria
Lt. Col. Salomão from the Brazilian Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Salomão from the Brazilian Air Force was summoned in May 2012 to be a member of the Military Observers Team in UNSMIS - United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria. The mission aimed at monitoring the cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties and at monitoring and supporting the full implementation of the six-point plan of the Joint Special Envoy Mr. Kofi Annan.
Map of Syria.
The Brazilian Team of Observers was made up of 11 military personnel (03 from the Brazilian Navy, 05 from the Brazilian Army and 03 from the Brazilian Air Force). As they arrived in Damascus, the capital city of Syria, the Brazilian military personnel were briefly trained in order to become aware of all the peculiarities of the mission; the instructions informed them about Mr. Kofi Annan’s "Six-Point Plan", media relations, considerations on the local culture and human rights, among other topics. It is important to highlight that the Preparatory Course for Peacekeeping Missions offered by the Brazilian Peacekeeping Operations Joint Center (acronym in Portuguese: CCOPAB) contributed enormously for the capability of the military personnel assigned for that mission. After that brief training, the military personnel were divided in order to act in the different Team Sites spread all over Syria. Lieutenant Colonel Salomão and Major Bordeaux from the Brazilian Army were deployed to the city of Aleppo, 361 km north of Damascus.
Brazilian Military Observers travel to the city of Aleppo
Security Measures
During the first two months of the mission, reconnaissance and patrols could be accomplished with a certain level of security. The observers made contacts with the opposing forces (FSA - Free Syrian Army and its subdivisions), as well as with the government forces (SAAF – Syrian Armed Forces), so that they could inform their itineraries in advance and thus avoid ambushes. In some cases, the observers were alerted that their access would not be allowed or that the entrance in a certain area was "risky". The military personnel were allowed to enter the areas of the rebels and of the government and they heard the population and the combatants from the two sides. They reported the cases of abuse, arbitrary detentions and excessive measures against the population, if they occurred.
There were constant but peaceful protests during the first months of the mission.
Vídeo showing people surrounding the Observers´vehicles.
However, when the military started their third month in the mission, the security level in the city became unacceptable. On July 7, a convoy of the Aleppo Team Site was hit by 7 rifle shots during a patrol to the city of Safiriya, 35 km from Aleppo. The checkpoints around the city became more intense and sometimes the military personnel had their vehicles surrounded by violent protesters. On August 4, the base of the Aleppo Team Site was hit by several rifle shots, which was the last straw for the members to be ordered to evacuate and withdraw to Damascus.
Armored vehicles of the Military Observers hit by rifle shots.
According to reports by the observers, it was clear that the situation in the small cities in Syria were much tenser than in the capital city; however, on August 15 there was a huge explosion in front of UNSMIS General Quarter as a consequence of the daily escalation of the conflicts. UNSMIS mandate was ended on August 19.
A huge explosion in the vicinity of the UNSMIS base in Damascus
Summary of Mr. Kofi Annan’s Six-Point Plan
1. Commit to work with the Special Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process (broad participation of both parties);
2. Commit to stop the fighting and achieve urgently an effective United Nations supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms;
3. Ensure timely provision of Humanitarian Assistance;
4. Allow access to the process and intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons;
5. Ensure freedom of movement for journalists;
6. Respect freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully as legally guaranteed.
The entire Six-Point Plan is available here
Words of acknowledgment - UNSMIS
General Robert Mood - Norway.
We are really thankful to the support given by Brazil because it allowed us to have a rapid arrival in the country. We have an efficient team from Brazil whose components have shown courage and leadership.
I am proud and impressed and more importantly, thankful for the daily demonstration of courage and commitment on the part of the Brazilian military personnel.
GEN Robert Mood
Norway
Source: UN Website
