UN peacekeepers look out towards Syria from the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on July 22, 2018. (AFP Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping force tasked to patrol the buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is gradually returning to its positions, but Russian personnel on patrol are not part of the UN force, a spokesman for the world body said Friday.

The UN mission, known as the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), is implementing a gradual return after its 2014 withdrawal from positions due to the kidnapping of its personnel by al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general.

He clarified that the Russian personnel mentioned in press reports are not part of UNDOF, which is comprised of personnel from UN members that are not permanent members of the Security Council. Russia is a permanent member of the council.

As part of efforts to return incrementally to the area of separation, UNDOF on Thursday carried out a patrol to the Quneitra crossing point. The Syrians and Russian military police personnel simultaneously conducted a patrol to the area, said Haq.

"Any Russian military police presence or planned deployment in the Syrian Arab Republic is separate and distinct from that of UNDOF," he clarified.

In advance of its patrol, the UN force liaised with both the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces, said Haq.

"UNDOF maintains regular contact with the Israel Defense Forces and Syrian Arab Armed Forces, as well as with relevant interlocutors related to the de-escalation zone in the southwest part of Syria," said Haq, who refused to say whether the "relevant interlocutors" include the Russians.

The ultimate goal for UNDOF is the full return, conditions permitting, said Haq.

UNDOF was first deployed in 1974 to separate Syrian and Israeli forces. Since then the buffer zone had remained quiet until the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Enditem