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11/11/2004
UK troops sent in to 'volatile' Ivory Coast
With the situation in the Ivory Coast deteriorating rapidly, British troops have been sent into the West African country to begin the evacuation of UK citizens trapped there.
The detachment, led by the Royal Gurkha Rifles, has been ordered in to carry out a full-scale evacuation of the 400 British citizens in the region. The Gurkhas are currently in Accra, Ghana, and will be on immediate notice to be called forward to carry out the evacuation in Abidjan.
According to the MoD, the decision was made in light of the "volatile and violent situation in Cote d'Ivoire" which sparked off earlier this month. A small military team has already been operating in the country for some time to review contingency plans, liaise with the French military authorities, and "offer expert advice" to the British Ambassador in Abidjan. Overall, the emergency operation will involve some 300 army, navy and air force personnel.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "The UK places the utmost priority on protecting its citizens, whether at home or abroad. We are always prepared to deploy British forces to evacuate UK nationals should their lives be placed in jeopardy.
"In light of the deteriorating security situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a military reconnaissance team deployed earlier this week to assess the requirement to evacuate UK nationals. I wish to inform the House that, following this reconnaissance, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has requested British forces to undertake an evacuation of UK nationals and others over the next few days."
The RAF have brought in a number of transport aircraft to assist in the evacuation, and the landing platform dock, HMS Albion, has been directed towards the country.
Other army units have been put on notice in case they are required to assist in the operation.
Mr Hoon said that Britain's ability to react quickly to the situation in the Ivory Coast was testament to the "flexibility and capability of Britain's armed forces, and to the professionalism of British Servicemen and women".
(gmcg/sp)
The detachment, led by the Royal Gurkha Rifles, has been ordered in to carry out a full-scale evacuation of the 400 British citizens in the region. The Gurkhas are currently in Accra, Ghana, and will be on immediate notice to be called forward to carry out the evacuation in Abidjan.
According to the MoD, the decision was made in light of the "volatile and violent situation in Cote d'Ivoire" which sparked off earlier this month. A small military team has already been operating in the country for some time to review contingency plans, liaise with the French military authorities, and "offer expert advice" to the British Ambassador in Abidjan. Overall, the emergency operation will involve some 300 army, navy and air force personnel.
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "The UK places the utmost priority on protecting its citizens, whether at home or abroad. We are always prepared to deploy British forces to evacuate UK nationals should their lives be placed in jeopardy.
"In light of the deteriorating security situation in Cote d'Ivoire, a military reconnaissance team deployed earlier this week to assess the requirement to evacuate UK nationals. I wish to inform the House that, following this reconnaissance, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office has requested British forces to undertake an evacuation of UK nationals and others over the next few days."
The RAF have brought in a number of transport aircraft to assist in the evacuation, and the landing platform dock, HMS Albion, has been directed towards the country.
Other army units have been put on notice in case they are required to assist in the operation.
Mr Hoon said that Britain's ability to react quickly to the situation in the Ivory Coast was testament to the "flexibility and capability of Britain's armed forces, and to the professionalism of British Servicemen and women".
(gmcg/sp)
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