Abass Awala
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/03/2018
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_0032_F
Location(s): Beirut
Length:
In this clip Abass discusses the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, noting that prior to this there had been some talks that the smaller UNIFIL force would be merged with UNTSO [United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation]. He recounts moving to Beirut during the War and asking his mother and everyone else to move with him as the raids, shelling and bombardment was too much to stay. The day after he arrived in Beirut he received a call from the Logistics Officer for UNHCR. They were looking for someone to be Convoy Commander for the delivery of food and supplies by convoy to South Lebanon. He discusses this work and recalls an incident leading a convoy of seventy trucks towards the end of the thirty-three day war. He was approaching Tyre, travelling in an armoured jeep at the head of the convoy when the road ahead of them was shelled and the lead truck badly damaged. He discusses having to convince the truck drivers to continue with the convoy and warning them that he would take the UNHCR logo off their trucks if they tried to turn back. He discusses the dangers of travelling by convoy, referring to press vehicles who would try to use the cover and protection of the convoy to travel between locations.
