Landing & Infiltration in Somaliland

Unit/ Formation: 539 ASRM

Location: Somaliland

Period/ Conflict: 21st Century

Year: 2011

Date/s: July 2011

In July 2011 a landing craft from RFA Cardigan Bay landed two Vikings and Royal Marines of 539 ASRM (Assault Squadron Royal Marines) in Somaliland.

They penetrated several miles of "bandit country" to meet up with an important clan chief and take him back to Cardigan Bay for a meeting with MI6 and Foreign Office officials.

This was part of Exercise Somaliland Cougar, an operation to train Somali coastguards in anti-piracy techniques and to establish relationships with tribal leaders.