Rebel fighters in Syria have captured a group of 21 peacekeepers near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The rebels are demanding the withdrawal of Syrian government forces from the area in return for their release. A U.N. spokesperson confirmed the peacekeepers’ capture.

U.N. secretary-general spokesperson Eduardo del Buey: “Approximately 30 armed fighters stopped and detained a group of about 20 peacekeepers within the area of limitation, east of the B-Line. The U.N. observers were on a regular supply mission and were stopped near Observation Post 58, which had sustained damage and was evacuated this past weekend following heavy combat in close proximity, at Al Jamlah.”