Britain’s Special Forces have been deployed operationally in at least 19 overseas countries in the past decade, new analysis reveals, raising questions over the degree of transparency and democratic consent these shadowy units operate under. The countries where there have been active operations are: Algeria, Estonia, France, Iran/Oman (Strait of Hormuz), Iraq, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mediterranean (Cyprus), Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen. Here is a list of the six overseas places where UKSF also undertook training operations.
Albania
2013: SF part of training exercise with Navy/Marines in Albania – Albanian Lion that then goes on to Djibouti.
Belize
Ongoing training/selection: “Lessons on tradecraft, medical care, and hand-to-hand combat are also included. This segment is run in the hot, dense jungles of Brunei, Belize, or Malaysia.” (Wearethemighty, Ryan, Chris (2009). Fight to Win, p19)
Brunei (Malaysia)
Ongoing training/selection: “Lessons on tradecraft, medical care, and hand-to-hand combat are also included. This segment is run in the hot, dense jungles of Brunei, Belize, or Malaysia.” (Wearethemighty, Ryan, Chris (2009). Fight to Win, p19)
Canada
One training area in Canada used by UKSF (Military Fitness Institute)
Falkland Islands
Dec 2014/Jan 2015: ‘Invasion’ of the Falkland Islands by SBS “amid fears that Argentina may try to land commandos on one of the 700 small islands in a bid to claim sovereignty.” (Express)
Gibraltar
2014, March: SBS mini-sub seen moored off of Gibraltar. (Mail)
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