What has been the role of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights?
The Yom Kippur War in October 1973 ended with a cease-fire between Israel and Syria, but tension remained high, and from March 1974 the situation became increasingly unstable. Against this background, the United States undertook a diplomatic initiative, which resulted in the conclusion of an Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces. The Agreement provided for an area of separation and for two equal zones of limited forces and armaments on both sides of the area, and called for the establishment of a United Nations observer force to supervise its implementation. The Agreement was signed on May 31, 1974 and, on the same day, the Security Council adopted Resolution 350 by which it set up the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). UNDOF is entirely deployed within and close to the area of separation, with two base camps, 44 permanently manned positions and 11 observation posts. The headquarters of UNDOF is located at Camp Faouar and an office is maintained
