The United Kingdom began a military intervention in Sierra Leone on 7 May 2000 under the codename Operation Palliser. The rebels attacked a British position near Lungi airport, but were forced to retreat after a series of firefights. ...

What did the British army do in Sierra Leone?

In May 2000, Britain deployed troops to the country to evacuate foreign citizens and resist the RUF as it advanced on the capital, Freetown. Following this, British forces stayed on to train Sierra Leone's army and support a United Nations peacekeeping force.

Why did Britain take over Sierra Leone?

Britain had established a navy base in Freetown, banned its subjects from trading slaves, started using the Sierra Leone coast to resettle people freed from slave trading ships and brought Freetown (the pre-existing settlement of freed slaves) under Crown Government protection.