British Soldiers Held Hostage in Sierra Leone

British soldiers with the First Royal Irish Regiment were being held hostage by an unknown armed group in Sierra Leone, officials said. Eleven soldiers on a routine liaison visit were seized while driving in a convoy, and one of them managed to make contact with the base, reporting that all were safe and in good health. The soldiers had arrived in Sierra Leone in May to help with the evacuation of Britons and other foreigners during an upsurge in rebel activity.

Key Takeaways:

• 11 British soldiers from the First Royal Irish Regiment were taken hostage by an unknown armed group in Sierra Leone.
• The soldiers were on a routine liaison visit in a convoy of three vehicles when they were seized.
• One of the soldiers made contact with the base and reported that all 11 were safe and in good health.
• The soldiers were on duty in the town of Benguema, where Britain is helping government forces with a military training program for several thousand Sierra Leone soldiers.
• The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) is fighting for control of the country's vast diamond resources and has been accused of smuggling large quantities through neighboring Liberia to finance its arms purchases.
• The civil war in Sierra Leone is now eight years old and has crippled the country's economy and drained U.N. resources.

Statistics:

• 11 British soldiers were taken hostage.
• 250 British troops and advisers remained in Sierra Leone at the request of the government.
• 13,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force is deployed in Sierra Leone, comprising troops from India, Nigeria, and Ghana.
• The war in Sierra Leone has lasted for eight years.

Sources:

• UPI (United Press International), Aug. 26
• Captain John Price, British army spokesman in Sierra Leone