Operation Helvetic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Operation Helvetic |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||
 Irish republican dissidents |
 Ulster loyalist paramilitaries |
|||||
Operation Helvetic is the name for a special job the British Armed Forces have been doing in Northern Ireland. It started in July 2007 and is still going on today. It's a way for the army to help keep things peaceful and safe.
Contents
What is Operation Helvetic?
Operation Helvetic is a military mission in Northern Ireland. It helps the local police force, called the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The main goal is to deal with dangers like bomb threats. These threats sometimes come from groups who disagree with the peace process.
Why was it started?
This operation began after a long period of conflict in Northern Ireland. This time was known as The Troubles. Operation Helvetic took over from an older mission called Operation Banner. It was set up to help keep the peace after the main conflict ended.
How does the army help?
A big part of Operation Helvetic involves special soldiers. These soldiers are called Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs). Their job is to safely deal with bombs and other dangerous devices. They work closely with the PSNI to protect people. The operation also helps the police if there are big public problems. It can also help during natural disasters, like floods.
How many soldiers are involved?
When Operation Helvetic first started, about 5,000 British soldiers were in Northern Ireland. They were based in ten different places. By 2018, this number had gone down a lot. Only about 1,300 soldiers remained, mostly for training purposes.
Dealing with threats
In 2016, the ATOs working in Operation Helvetic were very busy. They had to deal with bomb alerts almost every week. About half of these alerts were considered very serious. Their important work helps keep communities safe.
