From the Jungles of SAS to the Blood Diamond Wars: A Journey into Darkness

In the shadowy depths of West Africa, where lush rainforests conceal a sinister secret, a tale of greed, conflict, and human suffering unfolds. This is the story of SAS soldiers, their transition into the illicit world of diamond smuggling, and the devastating consequences that followed.

The Elite SAS Unit

From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars

by Hamish Ross

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5566 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	349 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Special Air Service (SAS) is an elite British special forces unit renowned for its exceptional skills and covert operations. In the early 1990s, several former SAS soldiers found themselves drawn to the allure of quick riches in the diamond fields of Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone, a resource-rich country on the west coast of Africa, was engulfed in a bloody civil war. Rebel groups, fueled by the illicit diamond trade, terrorized the population, committing atrocities against civilians and exploiting the country's natural wealth.

The Lure of Diamonds

Diamonds, a symbol of wealth and status, are found in abundance in Sierra Leone. The discovery of diamond deposits in the 1930s sparked a mining boom that transformed the country's economy. However, the wealth generated by diamonds also became a curse.

Rebel groups, such as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF),sought to control the diamond mines and use the profits to fund their insurgency. They imposed a reign of terror, using violence and intimidation to extract diamonds from the mines.

The SAS Transition

As the civil war escalated, former SAS soldiers entered the shadowy world of diamond smuggling. One such individual was Simon Mann, a highly decorated SAS veteran who turned to the illicit diamond trade to make a fortune.

Mann established a network of contacts within the rebel groups and the corrupt Sierra Leonean government. He used his military skills to secure diamond mines and transport the precious stones out of the country.

The Sandline Scandal

In 1998, Mann and his associates became embroiled in a scandal known as the Sandline affair. Sandline International, a private military company, was hired by the Sierra Leonean government to suppress the RUF. However, the operation failed, and the helicopters used by Sandline were seized.

Mann was subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Sierra Leonean government. However, he escaped from prison and fled to South Africa. The Sandline scandal exposed the deep involvement of foreign mercenaries and corporations in the conflict.

The Blood Diamond Wars

The civil war in Sierra Leone continued to rage, fueled by the illicit diamond trade. Rebel groups used child soldiers, abducted from their families, to fight in the conflict and exploit the diamond mines.

The international community condemned the use of child soldiers and imposed sanctions on Sierra Leone. However, the conflict continued, leaving a trail of human suffering and destruction.

The Aftermath

In 2002, a peace agreement was signed, ending the civil war in Sierra Leone. The United Nations deployed peacekeepers to the country to help maintain stability and support the transition to democracy.

The illicit diamond trade has been largely suppressed, and Sierra Leone has begun to rebuild its economy. However, the legacy of the blood diamond wars continues to haunt the country. Thousands of people were killed, countless others were displaced, and child soldiers remain a tragic reminder of the conflict.

Epilogue

The story of SAS soldiers and the blood diamond wars is a sobering tale of greed, conflict, and human suffering. It reveals the dark underbelly of the diamond industry and the devastating impact of war on individuals and societies.

The legacy of the conflict continues to shape Sierra Leone today. The country faces challenges in overcoming poverty, inequality, and the scars of war. However, the spirit of resilience and the hope for a brighter future remain.

From SAS to Blood Diamond Wars

by Hamish Ross

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5566 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	349 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE