SAS Had Golden Pass to Get Away with Murder Inquiry Told
A former UK Special Forces officer claims SAS had a free pass for unlawful killings in Afghanistan during the conflict
SAS, Afghanistan, UK, War Crimes, Special Forces
The inquiry is looking into the SAS’s actions between 2010 and 2013, and it’s based on testimonies from several closed hearings. The officer, who used to be the operations chief for the Special Boat Service, expressed concerns back in 2011 about the SAS’s conduct. He mentioned that the SAS seemed to be executing people and then covering it up.
In one email, he described the SAS and murder as “regular bedfellows.” When asked if he still believed the SAS’s actions amounted to murder, he firmly said yes. He also admitted he regretted not reporting his concerns higher up the chain of command back then, acknowledging a “massive failure of leadership” within the UK Special Forces.
The inquiry has been quite secretive, with only the inquiry team and Ministry of Defence representatives allowed in. The public and media have been kept out, which raises eyebrows. The documents released paint a troubling picture of the SAS’s operations in Afghanistan, especially their aggressive approach after arriving in 2009.
Some senior officers from the SBS expressed deep worries that the SAS was more focused on kill counts than on following the rules. One junior officer even recounted a chilling story about a pillow being used to smother someone before they were shot. He mentioned that some of those killed were as young as 16 or even younger.
These officers were part of a small group that raised doubts about the SAS’s operational reports back in 2011. They felt that if they didn’t speak up, they would be dragged down with the SAS when the truth eventually came out. The inquiry is chaired by Lord Justice Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, and it’s clear that the SAS’s actions are under serious scrutiny. The whole situation is pretty unsettling, and it’s definitely going to be a hot topic for a while.