Force Mobile Reserve
Encyclopedia
Force Mobile Reserve was a multi-national mechanized high readiness reserve able to react to incidents anywhere in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) area of operations.
clashed gravely with French UNIFIL forces. It became apparent that UNIFIL could no longer continue peacekeeping
along the same path. Hence the decision was taken to redeploy about half the French battalion to UNIFIL headquarters at Naqoura
to operate as the Force's mobile reserve.
On June 1, 1987, Force Mobile Reserve was established, composed of soldiers from each of the contributing contingents of UNIFIL. The deployment came with a mission to demonstrate an international willingness to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent UNIFIL from discharging its duties. FMR was via UNIFIL Force Commander placed under direct orders from the Secretary-General.
In contrast to the merely military duties of FMR came the rescue operation of civilians following the Israel Defense Forces
IDF Qana shelling during the IDF Operation Grapes of Wrath in the 1996 Lebanon war.
FMR Video
Background
In 1986 the armed wing of the Shiite Amal movementAmal Movement
Amal Movement is short for the Lebanese Resistance Detachments the acronym for which, in Arabic, is "amal", meaning "hope."Amal was founded in 1975 as the militia wing of the Movement of the Disinherited, a Shi'a political movement founded by Musa...
clashed gravely with French UNIFIL forces. It became apparent that UNIFIL could no longer continue peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
along the same path. Hence the decision was taken to redeploy about half the French battalion to UNIFIL headquarters at Naqoura
Naqoura
Naqoura is a small city in southern Lebanon. Since March 23, 1978 until present, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has been headquartered in Naqoura....
to operate as the Force's mobile reserve.
On June 1, 1987, Force Mobile Reserve was established, composed of soldiers from each of the contributing contingents of UNIFIL. The deployment came with a mission to demonstrate an international willingness to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent UNIFIL from discharging its duties. FMR was via UNIFIL Force Commander placed under direct orders from the Secretary-General.
Operations
FMR reinforced UNIFIL's battalions when serious incidents occurred and during rotations. In February 1988 FMR was equipped with Sisu Pasi XA-180 APCs set with 12.7 / 50 .cal HMG. The FMR was rigidly trained in public order and major incident reaction techniques. In addition the FMR also trained for air mobile operations using Bell 212 helicopters to rapidly insert into trouble areas.In contrast to the merely military duties of FMR came the rescue operation of civilians following the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
IDF Qana shelling during the IDF Operation Grapes of Wrath in the 1996 Lebanon war.
FMR Video