UK special forces investigated over Afghan war crimes

UK Special Forces are at the heart of an investigation into war crimes, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed for the first time on Wednesday.

This marks a significant shift from the MoD’s previous efforts to keep details of Special Forces’ alleged involvement in Afghanistan war crimes confidential.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace publicly acknowledged the Special Forces’ involvement in the inquiry in a pre-hearing statement for the Independent Inquiry.

He said this revelation only pertains to the exceptional context of this inquiry and should not be construed as a change in the government’s policy on commenting about UK Special Forces’ deployments or activities.

The ministry had previously tried to withhold from the public any evidence or documentation that may affirm or deny the alleged involvement of UK Special Forces in the operations under investigation.

However, less than 48 hours before presenting their argument before Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, the inquiry’s chair, the revelation was made.

AOAV, in combination with the BBC, exposed evidence pointing towards a single SAS unit operating in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011, which is believed to have killed 54 people under dubious circumstances.

More investigations by the BBC revealed other instances believed to have involved special forces.

A judgment on the matter is expected later this month, and the hearing is ongoing.