UK to send more troops to Sierra Leone
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain is to step up its military commitment to the war-torn west African state of Sierra Leone by sending hundreds of extra soldiers.
Britain is to step up its military commitment to the war-torn west African state of Sierra Leone by sending hundreds of extra soldiers.
British diplomatic sources in New York suggest the troops would go as part of a reorganisation of international intervention following the withdrawal of 3,000 Indian peace-keepers, according to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an announcement would be made to Parliament next week, but stressed Britain would not be contributing troops to the UN's Unamsil peacekeeping force.
Several hundred British troops are currently training government forces in Sierra Leone. They liaise with Unamsil troops on the ground, but are not formally part of the UN operation.
The BBC said that the new troops are expected either to form an offshore rapid reaction force, for deployment in emergencies, or to be based on land to defend the UK training detachment and offer support to Unamsil.
The Foreign Office said that Britain's ambassador to the UN in New York, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, had been involved in talks about the future of the Unamsil operation.
Shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith called on Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to make his plans for British involvement in Sierra Leone clear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments