HOSTAGE RESCUE SIERRA LEONE 10 SEPTEMBER 2000

When 11 British soldiers are captured by a militia group in West Africa, the SAS launches a daring mission to save them

The civil war in the west African state of Sierra Leone was vicious and characterised by the use of child soldiers and widespread mutilations. The British Government deployed troops as peacekeepers in May 2000, only for 11 officers and men from 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment to be taken hostage by a local militia group – the so-called West Side Boys – on 25 August. Negotiations secured the release of five soldiers, but fearing for the safety of the remaining six, London authorised a rescue operation. The

West Side Boys were unpredictable and often high on drugs, so speed was of the essence. While 1 Para launched a diversion, troopers from D Squadron fast-roped from Chinooks into the village where the Royal Irish were being held. Covered by two Lynx attack helicopters and supported by SAS observation teams already on the ground, the assault troop cleared the village house by house and freed the hostages, including over 20 innocent Sierra Leoneans. In less than 20 minutes it was all over: 25 militia were killed for the loss of one SAS trooper – Lance Bombardier Bradley Tinnion.

“THE WEST SIDE BOYS WERE UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN HIGH ON DRUGS, SO SPEED WAS OF THE ESSENCE”

Heavily armed West Side Boys militia members at Masiaka in 2000

In May 2000 the situation in Sierra Leone had deteriorated to such an extent that British troops were deployed as peacekeepers