Sierra Leone
The SAS were operational in Sierra Leone in September 2000. When a combined SAS, SBS and men from 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment carried out a hostage rescue operation Operation Barras. The objective was to rescue 11 members of the Royal Irish Regiment that were being held by a militia group known as the West Side Boys. The rescue team transported in three Chinook and one Lynx helicopter mounted a simultaneous two-pronged attack after reaching the militia positions. After a heavy fire fight, the hostages were released and flown back to the capital Freetown. One member of the SAS rescue team was killed during the operation.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Special Air Service