They were called the UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) and responsible for securing ceasefires in the Middle East.
The first UN peacekeeping troops were founded on this day in 1948. They were called the UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) and responsible for securing ceasefires in the Middle East. They were sent there from the USA, where they had previously worked within the frame of security units of the UN headquarters. At first there were only 50 of them and they continued to wear the same security uniforms in the field.
The UN organized approximately 50 peacekeeping operations over the course of the 20th century. The peacekeepers have earned the nicknames “blue helmets” and “blue berets” and today also use heavier military equipment. In addition to soldiers, the units encompass police officers and various experts (e.g. engineers). The UN peacekeeping forces today number over 100,000 persons in uniform in various parts of the world. The first commander of a UN peacekeeping force was the Swedish count Thord Bonde, who held the rank of colonel.
