Austria began pulling out its UN peacekeepers from the Golan Heights on Wednesday in line with its government decision to quit contributing to the mission due to what the it said deterioration in security situation.
Austrian government decided Tuesday to withdraw its troops as Syrian rebels captured last week the Quneitra crossing in the demilitarized zone on the Israel-Syria armistice line. Two UN troops were wounded in the battle for the border crossing.
"Freedom of movement in the area no longer exists. The uncontrolled and immediate danger to Austrian soldiers has risen to an unacceptable level," Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and his deputy Michael Spindelegger has said in a joint statement.
Among 911 UN peacekeepers serving at the crossing, 377 are Austrians.
Previously Croatia withdrew its peacekeepers in March due to similar reasons.
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