British Royal Marines Commandos. PA
British Royal Marines Commandos. PA
British Royal Marines Commandos. PA
British Royal Marines Commandos. PA

Britain opens new military base in far northern Norway


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

A UK military base has opened in the far north of Norway to strengthen Nato's capabilities in the Arctic after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Named Camp Viking, the newly established Norwegian site will serve as a centre for Royal Marines Commandos, Britain's Royal Navy said.

The Navy said the troops were "the tip of the Arctic spear" and "the unit the UK turns to when it needs troops able to fight in cold weather extremes".

"A new Arctic operations base will support Britain's commandos for the next 10 years as the UK underscores its commitment to security in the high north," it said.

Norway, which borders Russia, refuses to host permanent bases for foreign soldiers, hence the time limit for Camp Viking.

The base, about 65km south of Tromso, will be able to accommodate all personnel from the elite, commando-led Royal Marines force, which reacts to emerging crises in Europe.

"The camp's location is ideal for deterring threats in the region and situated so the UK can respond rapidly if needed to protect Nato's northern flank and its close ally, Norway," the Navy said.

A look at the Nato military alliance - in pictures

About 1,000 commandos have been sent to the base this winter.

Norway's Defence Ministry said the base had previously been used by Nato allies and then Dutch Marines, AFP reported.

"The camp is Norwegian and financed through Norwegian infrastructure and operational funds," a ministry spokeswoman said.

A founding member of Nato, Norway regularly hosts allied troops for combat training in extreme cold.

The country, which shares a 198km border with Russia, has provided Ukraine with a wide range of military equipment, including artillery and ammunition.

The Ukraine conflict prompted its eastern neighbours Finland and Sweden to apply for Nato membership in May 2022, ending decades-long policies of military non-alignment.

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Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

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'Worse than a prison sentence'

Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.

“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.

“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.

“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.

“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”

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2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland 

ODI WORLD CUP 

2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh 

CHAMPIONS TROPHY 

2025: Pakistan; 2029: India  

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Essentials

The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.

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Updated: March 08, 2023, 10:08 PM`