Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did the Special Air Service use local tribesmen during operations in Borneo?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

During the conflict in Borneo that began in 1963, the British Special Air Service (SAS) deployed to counter Indonesian raids against the Malaysian side of the island. To support their covert, long-term surveillance operations and ambushes—collectively known as Operation Claret—the SAS recruited local tribesmen to serve as trackers, guides, and intelligence gatherers.1