Kazakhstan set to send independent peacekeeping mission to Golan Heights in Syria

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Kazakhstan will start in March its first independent UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East, the government announced.

Both chambers of the parliament on Friday voted for the proposal of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to send 139 Kazakh peacekeepers to the Golan Heights in Syria.

Commenting on the parliament's decision, Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov said the peacekeepers will serve as a reserve company of the UN Disengagement Observer Force at the Golan Heights.

"Participation in a peacekeeping mission will allow the armed forces of Kazakhstan to acquire the necessary combat skills characteristic of peacekeeping operations," he said, adding that it is the first time the UN has given Astana an independent mission.

In January, Tokayev proposed to send up to 430 Kazakh peacekeepers to the Middle East and Africa.

Besides, Kazakh peacekeepers are expected to take part in the UN Truce Supervision Organization, Mission in South Sudan, and Interim Security Force for Abyei.