Ugandan troops have left for the Gaza Strip as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), with some of the troops on Saturday sharing videos captioned “Gaza here we come” while boarding an aircraft.
The troops posted themselves wearing military uniform and carrying equipment in airplanes, boarding and landing in locations that weren’t disclosed, with the Ugandan flag visible on their uniform.
This follows Uganda’s parliament approval on the deployment of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel on August 6, as a contingent in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
The force will serve under US President Donald Trump’s postwar plan for the Gaza Strip, which allegedly includes monitoring ceasefire arrangements, supporting demobilisation, protecting civilians, and operating in areas outside Israeli control.
Defence minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka told lawmakers early this month that Trump had contacted President Yoweri Museveni through emissaries seeking Uganda’s contribution.
“Following the invitation by His Excellency Donald Trump … the President of the Republic of Uganda is ready to deploy in the Gaza Strip the desired Uganda People’s Defense Forces contingent,” Kiwanuka said.
In June, ‘Israeli’ officials had indicated the initial force could include around 200 personnel from different countries, operating in coordination with the ‘Israeli’ military in designated areas.
The videos have sparked backlash online given the controversy surrounding the International Stabilisation Force, which is part of Trump’s so-called peace plan for the Gaza Strip.
The ISF is a UN-mandated peacekeeping force outlined in the wider peace plan for Gaza Strip. It is expected to help with security, train a Palestinian police force, and oversee the demilitarisation and rebuilding of Gaza.
Several nations have agreed to send their troops to Gaza as part of the plan, including Kazakhstan, Morocco Indonesia, and Kosovo.
MG/as/APA