75 years on: UK Armed Forces in the UN
As a founding member of the United Nations 75 years ago, the UK and her Armed Forces have helped to stabilise fragile states from crises in Europe, to civil wars in Africa
Plans for the United Nations were drawn up during the Second World War. On 14 August 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill proposed a set of principles for international collaboration on peace and security in a document known as the Atlantic Charter.
As one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, the UK has particular responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It plays a key role in the adoption of resolutions on conflict situations, including those mandating the use of force, and — like the other permanent members — has the right to reject substantive decisions.
Today almost 600 UK military personnel are working across 7 different missions. Here’s an overview of our biggest UN deployments:
Op TOSCA — Cyprus 🇨🇾
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) started in 1964, to prevent fighting between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. This deployment of British Troops is known as Operation TOSCA.
This is one of the longest-standing UN Peacekeeping missions, with around 260 UK troops involved — the highest contribution to the Mission.
In February this year, the British Army Reserves made history by mobilising for the British Army’s largest-ever deployment of the Army Reserve in a single, formed unit under its own command. Approximately 240 reservists from 7 RIFLES and 5 RRF (Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) were mobilised as a battleground to Cyprus.
Op TANGAM — Somalia 🇸🇴
British army personnel are currently deployed in Somalia to support 4 organisations; the United Nations (UN), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the EU and direct support to the Somali National Army (SNA). This deployment is known as Operation TANGHAM.
Somalia is always under a high threat of a terrorist attack and conflict. There are threats of kidnapping, and there are dangerous levels of violent crime.
The UK Armed Forces’ are committed to the fight against Islamic extremists in Somalia by helping to restore security and stability in the horn of Africa.
Op TRENTON — South Sudan 🇸🇸
After four years, the UK Task Force in South Sudan returned home this spring from the British Army’s UN Peacekeeping mission there, known as Operation TRENTON.
- Building hospitals, bridges and roads: The British Army in South Sudan
- Lighting the way: Safer streets in South Sudan
Established nearly ten years ago, the UN Mission in South Sudan works across the nation at all levels to establish peace and stability. In 2016 the British Army deployed a task-force of engineers in support.
Despite returning from this mission in spring, the UK still influences and contributes to this mission. Early September, the role of Force Cheif of Staff was handed over to the British Army’s Brigadier Best. His role will help influence the 14,000+ peacekeepers working to stabilise South Sudan.
Our smaller taskforces:
As well as these troop deployments, the UK also has almost 20 Military Staff Officers deployed to seven UN Mission Headquarters’, including doctors, mission planners and advisers on gender issues.
