Recent research has shed light on the clandestine operations of the British Special Air Service (SAS) and other elite special forces from the United Kingdom, over the past 12 years, these highly skilled units have been active in Nigeria and 18 other countries.
Notably, their involvement has extended to Algeria, Estonia, France, Oman, Iraq, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Cyprus, Pakistan, Somalia, the Philippines, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and most recently, Sudan.
In 2012, the world witnessed an audacious rescue attempt by the Special Boat Service (SBS) commandos in Nigeria, which unfortunately failed. Their mission aimed to free a British and an Italian hostage held by an Islamist group.
Additionally, the British SAS operated covertly in various nations, providing non-combat support during French military actions against jihadi groups in Mali. Moreover, they played a vital role in training soldiers from Nigeria, Morocco, and Cameroon, while also gathering crucial intelligence to assess the growing instability in the Sahel region.
Unveiling the Hidden Operations
Operating without public acknowledgment or approval from UK ministers, these special forces operate in secrecy. The lack of official recognition and oversight raises concerns about transparency and democratic accountability. Action on Gun Violence, a research organization, recently compiled a comprehensive list of their operations since 2011, highlighting Britain’s Special Forces’ involvement in at least 19 countries.
These deployments occurred even when Britain was not officially at war, suggesting that the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary frequently authorize high-risk operations.
However, due to the emphasis on secrecy, the identity of SAS member Matt Tonroe, who was tragically killed in Syria in 2018, was initially misattributed to the Parachute Regiment. Such incidents underscore the challenges of maintaining transparency and accountability within these covert operations.
Despite Britain’s non-participant status in the conflict, leaked Pentagon documents earlier this year revealed the presence of 50 UK special forces members in Ukraine. The United States and France had 14 and 15 personnel respectively. However, the precise objectives of these deployments were undisclosed.
The report’s authors expressed concerns about the extent of these deployments, emphasizing the lack of control and the absence of parliamentary approval or retrospective reviews for these missions.