Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000 - Sierra Leone
- Author: Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism
- Document source:
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Date:
30 April 2001
Sierra Leone's warring factions carried out more high-profile terrorist attacks against foreign interests in 2000 than in 1999, killing and kidnapping United Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) peacekeepers, foreign journalists, and humanitarian aid workers.
The most violent attacks occurred in May when Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels resorted to terrorism in an effort to force out UN peacekeepers who had arrived to replace a regional peacekeeping force. In those attacks, RUF militiamen killed five UN peacekeepers and kidnapped some 500 others – most of whom were later released. The RUF also is believed responsible for shooting down a UN helicopter and killing two foreign journalists – including one US citizen – in May. Armed militants kidnapped two British aid workers on 9 May and released them a month later.
Sporadic terrorist attacks continued from June until August, resulting in the deaths of four more peacekeepers and the kidnapping of at least 30 additional UN troops. RUF fighters were responsible for most of the attacks.
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