South Korean peacekeepers placed on high alert after strikes near bases in Mideast

ISTANBUL

South Korean troops deployed overseas have been placed on heightened alert after strikes were reported near their bases in the Middle East during the early days of the conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel, Yonhap News reported on Tuesday, citing officials.

A report presented by the Defense Ministry to lawmaker Hwang Hee stated that explosions were recorded about 31 kilometers (19 miles) northeast of the base of South Korea’s Dongmyung Unit in Lebanon on Feb. 28, the same day large-scale US-Israeli attacks on Iran began.

The unit is deployed as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission and continues to conduct essential operations while maintaining a high defense posture.

A separate report indicated that the Akh Unit, stationed near Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, also detected strikes roughly 68 kilometers (42 miles) from its base on March 1.

Since then, the unit has suspended training activities and remains on standby at its compound.

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back has ordered commanders to prioritize the safety of troops abroad and prepare to assist with the possible evacuation of South Korean nationals if the regional crisis worsens.

South Korea currently operates four overseas military units, stationed in Lebanon, South Sudan, Somalia, and the United Arab Emirates, as part of peacekeeping and security missions.