Inquiry Reveals Disturbing Allegations Against UK Special Forces in Afghanistan

The latest revelations from an inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by British special forces in Afghanistan highlight extreme methods and a culture of impunity, with soldiers reportedly instructed to kill all fighting-age males regardless of the threat.

British special forces allegedly engaged in shocking conduct during their operations in Afghanistan, as revealed by recent testimonies from an ongoing inquiry into potential war crimes by the UK's defense forces. The inquiry, initiated by the Ministry of Defense in 2022, focuses on claims of misconduct between 2010 and 2013, specifically involving elite troops.

Evidence disclosed on Wednesday drew attention to disturbing practices, including instances where soldiers reportedly covered individuals with pillows before shooting them and engaged in the unlawful killing of unarmed combatants. One officer conveyed during a March 2011 conversation with a fellow soldier that “all fighting-age males are killed” on-site, regardless of any immediate threat, indicating a disregard for protocol and human life.

The inquiry's findings stem from hundreds of pages of evidence, including emails, letters, and statements from servicemen, which collectively portray a special forces unit operating under a veneer of invincibility. Witnesses expressed that the soldiers had effectively been "beyond reproach" throughout the conflict in Afghanistan, describing this atmosphere as a “golden pass allowing them to get away with murder.”

As the inquiry unfolds, many statements remain anonymized due to the sensitive nature of the allegations. Several documents within the disclosed evidence also feature heavy redactions aimed at concealing identities, unit names, and locations of operations. This inquiry is set to scrutinize the broader implications of military conduct and accountability at a time when public trust in military operations is already under examination.