Nine UK special forces members are under scrutiny for alleged war crimes in Syria, with two cases currently being reviewed by authorities
London: So, it turns out that nine members of the UK special forces might be in hot water over some serious allegations. They’re looking at possible war crimes tied to two separate incidents in Syria. This info came from the Ministry of Defence, and the BBC got a hold of it.
The details were dug up through a Freedom of Information request by The Times. Apparently, the Service Prosecuting Authority is reviewing these cases, which is like the military’s version of the Crown Prosecution Service. One case involves a single person, while the other one has eight individuals involved.
Now, the MoD isn’t spilling the beans on what exactly happened or if these incidents are linked. But we do know that UK Special Forces have been active against ISIS in Syria for about ten years. They usually keep their operations under wraps, though.
An MoD spokesperson mentioned that UK personnel are known for their high standards, and if anyone falls short, they could face serious consequences, including being kicked out of service. But they also said it wouldn’t be right to comment on ongoing investigations.
Back in March 2024, it came to light that five SAS soldiers were being looked at for a potential war crime from over two years ago. The Daily Mail reported that this incident involved the killing of a suspected jihadist. The twist? His body was found near a bomb vest, but he wasn’t wearing it when he was shot.
These soldiers are said to have used excessive force instead of arresting the guy, claiming he was a threat. It’s still a bit murky whether this case is the same as the one with the eight individuals.
On top of that, the MoD data also shows there’s another case being reviewed involving a special forces member in Afghanistan. Again, no details were shared about that one.
There’s also a public inquiry going on about the SAS’s actions in Afghanistan. This inquiry was sparked by reports from the BBC and others, looking into whether UK Special Forces killed civilians during night raids between 2010 and 2013.
