Soldiers possibly killed Taliban suspects instead of releasing them in Afghanistan
- Evidence has emerged that UK special forces may have killed suspected Taliban members between 2010 and 2013.
- Testimony suggests soldiers expressed frustration over the inability to hold suspected insurgents.
- The inquiry raises serious concerns about the adherence to international human rights obligations.
In Afghanistan, between 2010 and 2013, UK special forces soldiers reportedly executed suspected Taliban members instead of detaining them. An inquiry has been launched to investigate claims that three different SAS units summarily executed up to 80 Afghan individuals during nighttime operations. Testimonies from seven witnesses, including one known by the cipher N1785, allege that frustration with the limited ability to hold detainees led soldiers to take extreme actions. The testimonies suggest a troubling pattern of behavior that may contravene the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly the right to liberty for detained individuals. As the inquiry progresses, these allegations have sparked outrage and concern regarding the conduct of special forces in conflict zones.