- A UK government inquiry alleges SAS operatives in Afghanistan were given a "golden pass" to commit war crimes, including executing unarmed civilians, between 2010 and 2013.
- Witnesses claim weapons were planted on victims to justify killings, with some victims as young as 16.
- A whistleblower revealed a culture of impunity, with concerns about discrepancies in reports ignored by higher-ups.
- Senior military officials may have withheld evidence, fueling suspicions of a systemic cover-up.
- The inquiry, investigating at least 80 deaths, raises serious questions about accountability.
A shocking government inquiry has revealed that British Special Air Service (SAS) operatives were allegedly given a “golden pass allowing them to get away with murder” during operations in Afghanistan, according to testimony from a former senior military officer. The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan, which began in 2022, is investigating allegations that SAS units executed unarmed civilians, including teenagers, during night raids between 2010 and 2013. Witnesses have described a culture of impunity, with higher-ups allegedly turning a blind eye to war crimes.
The inquiry, led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, has heard harrowing accounts of extrajudicial killings, including the execution of detainees as young as 16. One witness described how a pillow was placed over a captive’s head before they were shot with a pistol. Another testified that weapons were routinely planted beside bodies to make victims appear as combatants. These revelations have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about accountability within the UK’s elite Special Forces.
The whistleblower, identified only as N2107, told the inquiry that SAS operatives seemed “beyond reproach” and were effectively handed a “golden pass” to commit atrocities without fear of consequences. He recounted how he raised concerns in 2011 after noticing discrepancies in reports of enemy combatants killed versus weapons recovered.
Another witness, N1799, expressed fears for his personal safety after testifying, highlighting the toxic culture of silence within the military. “Basically, there appears to be a culture there of ‘shut up, don’t question,’” he told the inquiry.
The inquiry has also uncovered evidence suggesting that senior military officials may have withheld crucial information. Last year, the BBC reported that a top UK general failed to disclose evidence of soldiers executing handcuffed detainees. This has fueled suspicions of a systemic cover-up within the Ministry of Defence.
These allegations are deeply troubling. The idea that British soldiers—especially elite units like the SAS—could operate with such disregard for human life undermines the moral authority of the armed forces and tarnishes the nation’s reputation.
Historically, the UK has positioned itself as a global leader in promoting human rights and justice. These revelations, however, echo darker chapters of military history, such as the abuses uncovered during the Iraq War. They also raise questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within the military, particularly in high-stakes environments like Afghanistan, where the fog of war can obscure accountability.
The human cost
The inquiry is investigating the deaths of at least 80 Afghans, many of whom were allegedly unarmed civilians. Witnesses have described how SAS units adopted a “shoot to kill” policy, targeting all “fighting age males” regardless of whether they posed a threat. In some cases, victims were reportedly executed after being restrained.
One soldier recalled being told that weapons were sometimes placed beside bodies to justify the killings. These weapons, referred to as “Mr Wolf” in military slang, were used to create the illusion that the victims had been armed. “I suppose what shocked me most wasn’t the execution of potential members of the Taliban, which was of course wrong and illegal, but it was more the age and the methods,” the soldier said, noting that some victims were “100%” aged 16 or younger.
The allegations against the SAS are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power, even within the most respected institutions. If proven true, they represent a grave betrayal of the values that the UK claims to uphold. The inquiry’s findings, expected later this year or early next year, will be a critical test of the military’s commitment to transparency and justice.
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