Were British special forces operating beyond the rule of law in Afghanistan? Alarming claims about the actions of the SAS during the war in Afghanistan have emerged in a public inquiry, painting a picture of shadowy conduct and unanswered questions.
Concerns were raised as evidence from seven special forces witnesses was released this week. These individuals, who testified in secret for national security reasons, described a culture in which Afghan men, even those posing no threat, were allegedly being killed during night raids.
One soldier, reviewing operational reports in 2011, reportedly expressed fear that UK special forces had become “beyond reproach,” describing what they called a “golden pass allowing them to get away with murder.”
Adding to the disturbing picture, another witness said they’d heard of “dropped weapons” munitions allegedly planted next to victims to suggest they were armed when killed. This practice was reportedly nicknamed “Mr Wolf,” a supposed nod to the fixer character Winston Wolfe from the film Pulp Fiction.
The Origins of the Inquiry
The independent inquiry was launched by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after reports claimed that one SAS squadron may have killed 54 individuals in suspicious circumstances between 2010 and 2013. The inquiry, which began in 2023, is now delving into a series of night-time raids and the broader culture within UK special forces during that period.
Disturbing Testimonies
Among the witnesses was a soldier referred to as N1799, who raised the alarm about the operations of a unit known as UKSF1. Their testimony revealed chilling allegations: “It was said that ‘all fighting-age males are killed’ on target, regardless of the threat they posed. This included those not holding weapons,” they stated.
N1799 further claimed that some males were executed after being restrained, with one victim reportedly killed using a pillow and a pistol. They also described how weapons were placed near victims to suggest they were combatants.
Despite escalating these concerns to senior officers, N1799 admitted they had felt and still feel fear for their safety after coming forward.
Another witness, N2107, expressed disbelief in email exchanges about operational summaries that described detainees supposedly returning to compounds, retrieving weapons, and then attacking special forces an explanation they found implausible.
A Culture of Silence
The inquiry also heard from a special forces commanding officer who explained the challenges of reporting misconduct within the tight-knit community of UK special forces. The officer said reporting allegations to a counterpart in another unit could be perceived as “mud-slinging,” leading them to escalate concerns through their own chain of command instead.
Investigations That Led Nowhere
The British military police have conducted multiple investigations into alleged misconduct by special forces in Afghanistan. However, the MoD has repeatedly stated that no inquiry uncovered sufficient evidence for prosecutions.
This inquiry seeks to determine whether there is credible evidence of unlawful killings, whether military police investigations were properly conducted, and if any attempts were made to cover up illegal actions.
A Decade-Old Shadow
The allegations emerging from this inquiry strike at the heart of how modern warfare is conducted and raise profound questions about accountability and oversight within elite military units. Was the SAS given too much leeway? Did a culture of impunity develop during their operations in Afghanistan?
As the inquiry unfolds, it will not only scrutinise individual actions but also examine the systemic issues that may have allowed such allegations to arise.
