Bamako, Mali (CU)_Hundreds of British troops on a peacekeeping mission in the West African region have been forced to use ‘rocket defusing netting’ to protect their vehicles from missile attacks.
Following several deadly attacks on foreign troops in Mali, soldiers from the Royal Anglian and Light Dragoons Regiments have decided to use the technique known as ‘crimping the fuse’.
The netting, which was previously used with great success in Afghanistan, prevents missile warheads from detonating on impact with vehicles. Although the rocket would still strike its target, however since there is no explosion, it would prevent loss of life inside the vehicle.
Back in December, when 300 British troops were sent to Mali, experts warned that it would put the country at risk of being involved in another costly military campaign. Yet, defence officials in London insisted that the soldiers were merely acting as UN peacekeepers in the West African nation.
Nevertheless, UK commanders have been recently persuaded to upgrade security measures following an attack last month, which injured 20 UN peacekeepers. Previously, in January, terrorists planted a roadside bomb which killed 4 UN troops and wounded 5 others.
Accordingly, the Army is conducting reviews to ensure the right resources are used, while they also continue to review the risks to British troops.
The UK troops are a part of a UN stabilisation force set up by troops from 56 countries. Although they are separate from the French-led operation against terrorists in Mali, which is considered to be of higher risk, however, it has been reported that it is wrong to assume that UK troops could avoid confrontations with “aggressive armed groups”.
“It would be naive to suggest that British ground forces are likely to avoid confrontations with aggressive armed groups simply because they are in a peacekeeping role. Direct engagements should be expected,” Flight Lieutenant Andy Donovan, an RAF helicopter pilot who served in Mali, told a British military magazine last year.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night (28 March), the UK’s Ministry of Defence said that the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali operates in “a challenging environment”, but assured that the troops have been given “the right protection” and have been provided with a range of necessary equipment.
