The Army is reinforcing its peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon in anticipation of trouble during Israel's withdrawal from the southern "security zone" its forces have occupied since 1982.
The Israeli withdrawal, which began last year, is due to be completed by July 7th. All the other forces contributing to UNIFIL (UN Interim Force In Lebanon) are also reinforcing and strengthening their positions prior to the Israeli withdrawal date.
The Irish Battalion area is in the centre of southern Lebanon and Army management says it is preparing for a turbulent period over the coming two months.
The Irish battalion area of operations straddles a key part of the Israeli-controlled area and has been at the centre of some of the most intense conflict between the Israeli forces and the Islamic Resistance, the military wing of the Hizbullah political party.
The area was described as quiet yesterday after the Army announced a 10 per cent increase in its battalion-strength force. There had been a shelling exchange near the Irish post at the village of Haddatah in the morning, but no injuries were reported.
The battalion, which has around 560 soldiers, will be doubling its number of vehicle-mounted 90 mm anti-tank guns from four to eight in the coming weeks. The additional contingent of around 50 troops has begun training and will travel to the area next month.
The troops will include nine three-member crews for armoured personnel carriers (APCs). The UN is providing a number of additional armoured troop-carrying vehicles for use in the period leading up to the Israeli withdrawal.
During bombardments in southern Lebanon, travel is dangerous and "soft-skinned" or non-armoured vehicles are unsuitable. The UN uses heavily armoured APCs which can withstand shrapnel and most gunfire during periods of intense hostility, such as the 1993 and 1996 Israeli bombardments known as Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath.
In order to protect local militia members in the South Lebanon Army (SLA), who have supported the Israelis, it is anticipated that the UN may have to move its positions further into the area currently occupied by the Israelis. It is expected that these militias will be subject to attacks by Hizbullah and other Lebanese groups.
The SLA has a large armoury of artillery weapons, and it is feared it will carry out indiscriminate shelling of south Lebanon if its positions come under attack by Hizbullah guerrillas.