SAS soldiers got a 'golden pass' to evade accountability for murders in Afghanistan
- An independent inquiry was initiated to investigate allegations against SAS soldiers during the Afghanistan conflict.
- Witnesses revealed serious concerns about alleged murders of unarmed Afghans and the use of deceptive tactics by the soldiers.
- The inquiry highlights the need for accountability within British special forces regarding their actions during military operations.
In January 2023, a public inquiry was launched in the UK to investigate allegations of war crimes involving British special forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. The inquiry follows reports that the SAS was implicated in numerous unlawful killings, with some claims suggesting that soldiers executed unarmed individuals. Witnesses, including several soldiers from the UK's special forces, gave evidence in secret due to national security concerns, detailing disturbing practices during operations. According to testimony, 'fighting age males' were reportedly killed after being restrained, amid a culture of impunity. A soldier referred to as N1799 testified about concerns he had regarding a unit called UKSF1, where he discussed operations involving the execution of restrained individuals. This soldier mentioned that during raids, munitions were allegedly dropped next to victims to fabricate the narrative that they were armed when shot, a tactic referred to as 'Mr Wolf', likening it to a character from the film Pulp Fiction. Despite these grave accusations, none of the soldiers giving evidence claimed to have personally witnessed such behavior. Another officer, who remains unnamed, expressed disbelief over operational briefings that suggested detained suspects had been allowed to return to their compounds, subsequently leading to the attacks on British forces. Tension surrounding the reporting of these allegations was evident, with some commanders fearing that raising concerns might be perceived as 'mud-slinging', thus hindering the accountability necessary for addressing such serious claims. The inquiry, ordered by the Ministry of Defence in response to media scrutiny, seeks to shed light on these allegations, which include claims that up to 54 individuals may have been unlawfully killed. The public and military police had already conducted several investigations into misconduct allegations regarding British forces in Afghanistan. As the inquiry continues, it focuses on the operations carried out by SAS and other special units, hoping to bring forth concrete evidence of wrongdoing during a contentious period of military engagement in the region.