UNDOF
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force
Delegates gather in a formal meeting room around a central table with floral arrangements and flags, as a uniformed speaker addresses the group.
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visits UNDOF

The Secretary-General travelled to Syria in July for the first time as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. During the visit, the Secretary-General met with UNDOF Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Anita Asmah and senior officials in Damascus.

Our Mission

UNDOF helps prevent the escalation of conflict between Israel and Syria.

On 6 October 1973, war erupted in the Middle East between Egyptian and Israeli forces in the Suez Canal area and the Sinai, and between Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan. Although the conflict between Israel and Egypt stabilized, tensions between Israel and Syria remained high. In 1974, Israel and Syria signed an Agreement on Disengagement and UNDOF was established to supervise its implementation.

This work continues today, helping prevent a re-escalation of conflict between Israel and Syria until long-term peace can be reached between the two nations. UNDOF monitors the ceasefire and maintains a buffer zone between the two countries, serving as a stabilizing presence in the region often volatile.

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Operations
In order to carry out its mandate, UNDOF maintains an area of separation, which is over 75 kilometres (46.6 miles) long and varies in width between approximately 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) in the centre to 200 meters (0.12 miles) in the extreme south. The terrain is hilly and is dominated in the north by Mount Hermon, which is the location of the globe’s highest permanently manned United Nations position at an altitude of 2,814 meters (1,75 miles…
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Standards of conduct
Under an integrated framework, the Regional Conduct and Discipline Section (RCDS) based in Naqoura, Lebanon, provides support to peacekeeping operations (UNIFIL, UNDOF, UNFYCIP, UNTSO), political missions (UNSCOL, UNSCO, UNSMIL and OSESGY/UNSMHA) and to the United Nations Global Service Center(UNGSC) on conduct and discipline matters involving all personnel operating in the United Nations. RCDS act as entities focal point on all misconduct…

United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

UNDOF helps to supervise disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces, as per the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. It maintains the ceasefire and monitors and observes the area of separation and the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria.