Japan to extend peacekeeping mission in Golan Heights for 6 months

Japan is extending its peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights for another six months. The government decided at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to continue deploying the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in the area until the end of March 2013, according to (NHK World) website. The move follows a UN Security Council decision to extend its mission to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Japan has been sending SDF units to the Golan Heights since 1996 as part of the UN mission. More than 40 members are now engaged in transporting daily supplies and offering other logistical support to the UN team. Fighting between Syria's government troops and opposition forces has been escalating in areas around the Golan Heights. UN officials are concerned about Syrian government forces intruding into the UN operating areas and shooting at the peacekeepers. But Japanese government officials say there's no immediate danger to the SDF personnel because they operate far away from areas where the situation is worsening.