Newly released documents depict a culture of impunity within British special forces in Afghanistan, with allegations of war crimes including the killings of unarmed individuals.
Disturbing Revelations: U.K. Special Forces Allegedly Exempt from Accountability in Afghanistan
Disturbing Revelations: U.K. Special Forces Allegedly Exempt from Accountability in Afghanistan
An inquiry into British troops' conduct during the Afghan war reveals claims of extrajudicial killings and a troubling climate encouraging brutality.
Article Text: An official inquiry into the actions of British special forces in Afghanistan has unveiled chilling testimony suggesting a troubling atmosphere of unaccountability. Among the accusations are extreme measures taken against suspected militants, including one instance where a soldier described the act of covering a civilian with a pillow before shooting him. This harrowing account became part of the evidence presented in a recent inquiry, which examined alleged war crimes committed by British troops from 2010 to 2013.
Testimonies indicate a grim policy of engagement where "all fighting-age males are killed" on the target, irrespective of their actual threat level or armament status. This disconcerting strategy was detailed in statements made by soldiers during private hearings. The U.K.'s Ministry of Defence had initiated an inquiry in 2022 in response to mounting allegations concerning the conduct of British armed forces, predominantly focusing on special forces personnel.
The documents released, which include a mixture of emails, personal letters, and witness accounts, highlight a dangerous mindset that purportedly prioritized body counts over adherence to moral and ethical standards. One witness described the special forces' operational mindset as one that rendered them "beyond reproach," effectively granting a “golden pass” for serious wrongdoing during prolonged combat operations.
The inquiry has faced scrutiny, as many of the individuals who provided evidence remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of their statements. Efforts to maintain the confidentiality of their identities have led to extensive redactions throughout the documents, with sponsors aiming to protect those who spoke out about the troubling practices witnessed during the conflict.
Testimonies indicate a grim policy of engagement where "all fighting-age males are killed" on the target, irrespective of their actual threat level or armament status. This disconcerting strategy was detailed in statements made by soldiers during private hearings. The U.K.'s Ministry of Defence had initiated an inquiry in 2022 in response to mounting allegations concerning the conduct of British armed forces, predominantly focusing on special forces personnel.
The documents released, which include a mixture of emails, personal letters, and witness accounts, highlight a dangerous mindset that purportedly prioritized body counts over adherence to moral and ethical standards. One witness described the special forces' operational mindset as one that rendered them "beyond reproach," effectively granting a “golden pass” for serious wrongdoing during prolonged combat operations.
The inquiry has faced scrutiny, as many of the individuals who provided evidence remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of their statements. Efforts to maintain the confidentiality of their identities have led to extensive redactions throughout the documents, with sponsors aiming to protect those who spoke out about the troubling practices witnessed during the conflict.
