London: British soldiers who served in the special forces during the war in Afghanistan have testified in a public inquiry, revealing concerns over the deaths of Afghans who posed no threat during raids targeting suspected Taliban insurgents. Among the victims were reportedly individuals as young as 16.
The independent inquiry, ordered by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), follows claims made in a BBC documentary about soldiers from the elite Special Air Service (SAS) killing 54 people under suspicious circumstances over a decade ago. The investigation is focusing on a series of deliberate detention operations carried out by British forces between mid-2010 and mid-2013. On Wednesday, the inquiry released a summary of evidence presented by seven UK special forces (UKSF) witnesses, whose identities were kept confidential for national security reasons.
One soldier, identified as N1799, shared his concerns during a 2011 training course about a unit referred to as UKSF1. He stated that it was believed that “all fighting-age males” were killed on target, regardless of whether they posed a threat, including those who were unarmed. “It was also indicated that ‘fighting age males’ were being executed on target, inside compounds, using a variety of methods after they had been restrained,” N1799 testified. He further mentioned one instance where a pillow was reportedly placed over the head of an individual before being killed with a pistol. N1799 also expressed that this referred to individuals under the age of 18, including those as young as 16.
N1799 escalated his concerns to senior officers, who took them seriously. Other officers who testified during the inquiry shared similar concerns regarding the high number of deaths in UKSF1 operations and reports suggesting that many killings were unlikely to have been justified. One officer, identified as N2107, wrote in an email expressing disbelief at UKSF1 operation summaries, which suggested that detained suspects were allowed back into compounds, only to later be reported as attacking the unit after picking up weapons. “Whilst murder and UKSF1 have oft been regular bedfellows, this is beginning to look bone,” the officer wrote, indicating that the situation appeared “very stupid.”
In his testimony, N2107 agreed with lead inquiry lawyer Oliver Glasgow, acknowledging that by April 2011, he suspected that UKSF1 might have been involved in extra-judicial killings. However, none of the soldiers who testified reported having witnessed any such behavior themselves.
Also Read | Alaska Sues to Block Biden’s Restrictions on Oil Development in Arctic Refuge
Previous investigations by British military police have looked into allegations of misconduct by forces in Afghanistan, including those made against the SAS. However, the MoD has stated that none of these inquiries found enough evidence to pursue prosecutions. The current inquiry is focused on determining whether there was credible evidence of extra-judicial killings, whether investigations conducted by military police were thorough, and if any unlawful killings were covered up.
Also Read | Missoni Co-Founder Rosita Missoni, Pioneer of Colorful Knitwear, Passes Away at 93
N1799 expressed feelings of disloyalty for speaking out but maintained that he believed he did the right thing. He requested the removal of two MoD officials from the inquiry room before giving his evidence, citing concerns for his safety. “I believe I did the right thing and I continue to, but it’s not easy,” he said. “It does make me feel a bit sick.”
