Security Council resolution 2361 (2017) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) until 31 Dec. 2017]
Symbol: S/RES/2361 (2017)
Date: 2017-06-29
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/72 [55] UN DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE
S/72 [54] MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Subjects: UN Disengagement Observer Force|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|TRUCE SUPERVISION|GOLAN HEIGHTS|ISRAEL|SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC|MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: ITALY
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: KAZAKHSTAN
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SWEDEN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/2361 (2017)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                29 June 2017




               Resolution 2361 (2017)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7986th meeting, on
               29 June 2017

                    The Security Council,
                     Noting with concern that the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely
               to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
               Middle East problem can be reached,
                     Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations
               Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) of 8 June 2017 ( S/2017/486) and also
               reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,
                    Stressing that both parties must abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement
               of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously
               observe the ceasefire,
                     Concurring with the Secretary-General’s findings that the ongoing military
               activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the
               potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic,
               jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local
               civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground,
                   Expressing grave concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces
               Agreement,
                     Stressing that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other
               than those of UNDOF,
                     Strongly condemning the continued fighting in the area of separation, calling
               on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions in the UNDOF
               area of operations and to respect international humanitarian law,
                    Condemning the use of heavy weapons by both the Syrian armed forces and
               armed groups in the ongoing Syrian conflict in the area of separation, including the
               use of tanks by the Syrian armed forces and opposition during clashes,
                     Echoing the Secretary-General’s call upon all parties to the Syrian domestic
               conflict to cease military actions throughout the country, including in the UNDOF
               area of operations,
                    Reaffirming its readiness to consider listing individuals, groups, undertakings,
               and entities providing support to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also




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               known as Da’esh) or to the Al-Nusra Front, including those who are financing,
               arming, planning, or recruiting for ISIL or the Al-Nusra Front and all other
               individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with ISIL and Al-Qaida as
               listed on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, including those
               participating in or otherwise supporting attacks against UNDOF peacekeepers,
                     Recognizing the necessity of efforts to flexibly adjust UNDOF’s posture on a
               temporary basis to minimize the security risk to UNDOF personnel as UNDOF
               continues to implement its mandate, while emphasizing that the ultimate goal is for
               the peacekeepers to return to their positions in UNDOF’s area of operations as soon
               as practicable,
                    Emphasizing the importance of Security Council and troop-contributing
               countries having access to reports and information related to UNDOF’s current
               temporary configuration, and reinforcing that such information assists the Security
               Council with evaluating, mandating, and reviewing UNDOF and with effective
               consultation with troop-contributing countries,
                    Underscoring the need for UNDOF to have at its disposal all necessary means
               and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely, i ncluding technology and
               equipment to enhance its observation of the area of separation and the ceasefire line,
               and to improve force protection, as appropriate, and recalling that the theft of
               United Nations weapons and ammunition, vehicles and other assets, and the looting
               and destruction of United Nations facilities, are unacceptable,
                     Expressing its profound appreciation to UNDOF’s military and civilian
               personnel, including those from Observer Group Golan, for their service in an
               increasingly challenging operating environment, underscoring the important
               contribution UNDOF’s continued presence makes to peace and security in the
               Middle East, welcoming steps taken to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF,
               including Observer Group Golan, personnel, and stressing the need for continued
               vigilance to ensure the safety and security of UNDOF and Observer Group Golan
               personnel,
                    Strongly condemning incidents threatening the safety and security of United
               Nations personnel,
                     Expressing its appreciation to UNDOF, including Observer Group Golan, for
               the efforts made to upgrade and expand its positions on Mount Hermon, including
               the establishment of new positions,
                     Taking note of the Secretary-General’s plan for UNDOF to return to vacated
               positions, starting with Camp Faouar on the Bravo side, based on a continuous
               assessment of security in the area of separation and its surroundings, and continued
               discussion and coordination with the parties,
                   Recalls that UNDOF’s deployment and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces
               Agreement are steps toward a just and durable peace on the basis of Security
               Council Resolution 338 (1973),
                    1.   Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution
               338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
                     2.   Stresses the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect
               the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calls on the parties to
               exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area
               of separation, encourages the parties to take advantage of UNDOF’s liaison
               function regularly to address issues of mutual concern, as appropriate, and
               underscores that there should be no military activity of any kind in the area of
               separation, including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces;

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                 3.    Underlines that there should be no military activity of the armed
           opposition groups in the area of separation, and urges Member States to convey
           strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in UNDOF’s area of operations to
           halt all activities that endanger United Nations peacekeepers on the ground and to
           accord the United Nations personnel on the ground the freedom to carry out their
           mandate safely and securely;
                4.    Calls on all groups other than UNDOF to abandon all UNDOF positions
           and the Quneitra crossing point, and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons,
           and other equipment;
                5.     Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF, to
           respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as
           well as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the United Nations
           personnel carrying out their mandate, including the unimpeded delivery of UNDOF
           equipment and the temporary use of alternative ports of entry and departure, as
           required, to ensure safe and secure troop rotation and resupply activities, in
           conformity with existing agreements, and urges prompt report ing by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and troop-contributing countries of any actions that
           impede UNDOF’s ability to fulfil its mandate;
                 6.   Commends the establishment of a new temporary crossing point for
           UNDOF personnel between the Alpha and Bravo sides for contingency situations, in
           the absence of the established crossing at Quneitra, and in this regard, calls on the
           parties to constructively engage with UNDOF, with the understanding that the
           Quneitra crossing will be re-opened as soon as security conditions permit;
                7.    Welcomes the return of an initial UNDOF contingent to Camp Faouar, as
           well as the cooperation of the parties to facilitate this return, together with
           continued efforts to plan for UNDOF’s expeditious return to vacated posit ions in the
           area of separation, including the provision of adequate force protection, based on a
           continuous assessment of security in the area;
                8.    Underscores the importance of deploying appropriate technology,
           including counter-improvised explosive device (IED) capabilities and a sense and
           warn system, to ensure the safety and security of UNDOF personnel and equipment,
           following appropriate consultations with the parties, and urges the Secretary-General to accelerate the development of proposals for such technologies;
                 9.    Encourages the parties to the Disengagement Agreement to engage
           constructively to make the necessary temporary arrangements with UNDOF for the
           force’s return to vacated positions, taking into account existing agreements;
                10. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNDOF to implement the
           Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to
           ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct,
           requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard
           and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries
           to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly
           investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;
                 11. Decides to renew the mandate of UNDOF for a period of six months, that
           is, until 31 December 2017, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that
           UNDOF has the required capacity and resources to fulfil the mandate in a safe and
           secure way;
                 12. Requests the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments
           in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).



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