WHILE the world's attention is focused on the Gulf, soldiers from North Yorkshire have been deployed to another trouble spot.
Rebels are reported to be massing on Sierra Leone's border with Liberia, prompting civilians to flee.
A 300-strong task force has been sent out under the command of Brigadier Bill Moore and other senior officers, normally based at 19 Mechanised Brigade's headquarters at Catterick Garrison. The task force includes men from the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, medics and engineers from regiments based in North Yorkshire and the frigate, Iron Duke.
Brig Moore said: "This will show the people of Sierra Leone that we are committed to carry on our support to them and their democratically-elected government, even at a time when people may perceive the armed forces are busy in other areas of the world.
"We are by no means over-stretched."
The Revolutionary United Front was driven out of Sierra Leone in 2000 after British troops helped to train soldiers who were loyal to the democratically elected government.
The British Army's presence was reduced, until recently only a small training unit remained.
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