MS05 - Deployment of Troops in Macedonia
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:25 pm
Madam Speaker,
I rise today in my capacity as the Secretary of State for Defence to inform the house about the deployment of British troops in Macedonia.
Following discussions at the latest NATO Summit, Madam Speaker, we discussed and outlined a new NATO mission codenamed Operation Essential Harvest. The purpose of this mission, Madam Speaker, is to assist the Republic of Macedonia in a law-enforcement and peacekeeping mission. In March of this year, Madam Speaker, Ethnic Albanian groups associated with the National Liberation Army in Macedonia opened fire on Macedonian police during a nationalist rally in the town of Tetovo, later using mortars and snipers on Macedonian forces. Sustained and targeted attacks on Macedonian forces have continued since the outbreak of the conflict, which has spread to surrounding areas. In June, Madam Speaker, Albanian mortar fire wounded 20 civilians in the town. I am sad to report that 12 civilians were killed during this mortal attack, the youngest of which was a 12-year-old girl who was mortally wounded during this mortar fire, and sadly lost her life. Our thoughts are with all those civilians who lost their lives.
In addition to these attacks, Madam Speaker, the NLA has been keeping civilians, hostage, in villages in the surrounding area with Macedonian security forces often powerless due to their strategic locations or their lack of manpower.
Madam Speaker, the North Atlantic Council has decided that the best course of action is to assist the Macedonian forces in disarming the rebels, operating under the National Liberation Army, and stop any further insurgency, with the aim of pursuing a political solution. The position, Madam Speaker, of NATO is clear: we must have the objective of a political solution and a cease-fire as our top priority. The deployment of troops is a very clear signal that we would like this conflict to end as soon as possible, with an unconditional cease-fire from both sides the ideal option.
The troops will as I said previously, Madam Speaker, be focused on disarming the NLA and collecting weapons, munitions, military vehicles and other equipment used by the NLA against Macedonian forces. We anticipate regular updates on the volume of weaponry seized from the region, and I will endeavour to keep the House updated at appropriate junctures. During this process, we must protect the lives of civilians and uphold the terms of any localised cease-fires for the purposes of disarming the NLA and other rebel fighters.
Based upon this mission objective, Madam Speaker, up to 1,000 troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, led by Brigadier White-Spunner. This Brigade is specifically designed to act as a rapid response force. Support from UK special forces will be available if deemed necessary.
Madam Speaker, having served in the military for 31 years prior to joining Parliament, I never take the decision to deploy the military abroad lightly, but it is in solidarity with our NATO allies and the innocent civilians hurt in the Republic of Macedonia that Britain will stand up for those who cannot. We must ensure that peace in the region is sustained and NATO and the British Government see this as the best pathway to peace.
I rise today in my capacity as the Secretary of State for Defence to inform the house about the deployment of British troops in Macedonia.
Following discussions at the latest NATO Summit, Madam Speaker, we discussed and outlined a new NATO mission codenamed Operation Essential Harvest. The purpose of this mission, Madam Speaker, is to assist the Republic of Macedonia in a law-enforcement and peacekeeping mission. In March of this year, Madam Speaker, Ethnic Albanian groups associated with the National Liberation Army in Macedonia opened fire on Macedonian police during a nationalist rally in the town of Tetovo, later using mortars and snipers on Macedonian forces. Sustained and targeted attacks on Macedonian forces have continued since the outbreak of the conflict, which has spread to surrounding areas. In June, Madam Speaker, Albanian mortar fire wounded 20 civilians in the town. I am sad to report that 12 civilians were killed during this mortal attack, the youngest of which was a 12-year-old girl who was mortally wounded during this mortar fire, and sadly lost her life. Our thoughts are with all those civilians who lost their lives.
In addition to these attacks, Madam Speaker, the NLA has been keeping civilians, hostage, in villages in the surrounding area with Macedonian security forces often powerless due to their strategic locations or their lack of manpower.
Madam Speaker, the North Atlantic Council has decided that the best course of action is to assist the Macedonian forces in disarming the rebels, operating under the National Liberation Army, and stop any further insurgency, with the aim of pursuing a political solution. The position, Madam Speaker, of NATO is clear: we must have the objective of a political solution and a cease-fire as our top priority. The deployment of troops is a very clear signal that we would like this conflict to end as soon as possible, with an unconditional cease-fire from both sides the ideal option.
The troops will as I said previously, Madam Speaker, be focused on disarming the NLA and collecting weapons, munitions, military vehicles and other equipment used by the NLA against Macedonian forces. We anticipate regular updates on the volume of weaponry seized from the region, and I will endeavour to keep the House updated at appropriate junctures. During this process, we must protect the lives of civilians and uphold the terms of any localised cease-fires for the purposes of disarming the NLA and other rebel fighters.
Based upon this mission objective, Madam Speaker, up to 1,000 troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, led by Brigadier White-Spunner. This Brigade is specifically designed to act as a rapid response force. Support from UK special forces will be available if deemed necessary.
Madam Speaker, having served in the military for 31 years prior to joining Parliament, I never take the decision to deploy the military abroad lightly, but it is in solidarity with our NATO allies and the innocent civilians hurt in the Republic of Macedonia that Britain will stand up for those who cannot. We must ensure that peace in the region is sustained and NATO and the British Government see this as the best pathway to peace.