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Korean peacekeeping force reports strikes near military base amid Middle East conflict

Published: 10 Mar. 2026, 13:47

Flames rise following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, on March 9. [AP/YONHAP]

Korean troops dispatched to Lebanon for peacekeeping operations reported strikes occurred near their military base on the day of the U.S.-Israeli attacks against Iran, a lawmaker said Tuesday, raising alarms over the safety of Korean troops dispatched overseas.

Unspecified strikes occurred at an area 31 kilometers (19 miles) northeast of the military base of the Dongmyung unit in Lebanon on Feb. 28, according to a report submitted by the defense ministry to Rep. Hwang Hee of the ruling Democratic Party.

The Dongmyung unit has been conducting essential operations related to the United Nations' peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, while maintaining the highest level of defense posture.

On March 1, the Akh unit stationed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported strikes at an area 68 kilometers southwest of the unit's base, located near the Al Dhafra Air Base, according to the lawmaker.

Since then, the Abu Dhabi-based unit has canceled all training and remains on standby at the military compound amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Cheonghae unit dispatched to Somalia has not witnessed any strikes in its vicinity, but the unit maintains the second-highest level of defense posture and remains ready to support Korean vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the outbreak of the Iran war, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called for the safety of troops dispatched overseas to be put as the top priority, while urging the service members to be ready to help evacuate Korean nationals upon request.

Korea currently oversees four dispatched units overseas in Lebanon, South Sudan, Somalia and the UAE.

Yonhap