Countries where British forces have been involved include Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and most recently, Sudan.
Out of the 19 countries where UK Special Forces operated secretly 11 are Muslim nations.
The elite military units operate in secret without ministers publicly confirming their activities, however, a research group, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), has compiled a list of their activities since the year 2011, based on media leaks.
According to the report members of the Special Air Services, SAS, the Special Boat Service (SBS), and, the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) have been repeatedly deployed by the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence to conduct high risk missions, typically where the UK is not at war.
Special Forces were particularly active in Syria. They reportedly entered the country in 2012 to help anti Damascus groups fight against President Bashar Al Assad.
As per the report, they were also sent to Syria in 2013 to identify military targets in advance of a bombing campaign which was to be conducted by the UK. The proposed bombing campaign was voted down by parliament.
In Ukraine, The Pentagon documents leaked earlier this year showed that 50 members of UK Special Forces were in the former Soviet republic alongside Kyiv forces fighting against Russia. By contrast, the numbers from the US and France were listed as 14 and 15 respectively.