Former members of the UK Special Forces have made public accusations of war crimes committed by the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The allegations, made in a BBC Panorama report aired on Monday, 12 May, include the execution of unarmed civilians, including children, and handcuffed detainees.
These claims are the first to emerge publicly from former SAS and SBS personnel. More than 30 eyewitnesses described routine unlawful killings during operations spanning over a decade.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated that it remains committed to supporting an ongoing public inquiry into these allegations but has refrained from commenting on specific accusations that fall within the inquiry’s remit.
Accounts of unlawful killings
One SAS veteran, who spoke anonymously, described witnessing colleagues shoot a handcuffed child in Afghanistan, stating that the boy was “clearly a child, not even close to fighting age.” Another veteran recalled the routine execution of handcuffed detainees, with firearms being placed beside the bodies to create the appearance of armed resistance.
One former SBS member condemned the unit’s actions, describing a “mob mentality” that led to “barbaric” behaviour. He recounted operations where wounded people were deliberately killed and bodies checked to ensure no survivors remained. “It was expected, not hidden. Everyone knew,” he stated.
According to the testimonies, members of the SAS and SBS would deliberately kill previously detained and released individuals without attempting to capture them. One veteran revealed that soldiers would sometimes shoot everyone in a building, including those sleeping, which he described as unjustifiable.
Institutional awareness and alleged cover-ups
The testimonies suggest that senior commanders within the UK Special Forces were aware of these practices. Veterans alleged that officers assisted in falsifying reports to evade scrutiny. One veteran mentioned that reports were structured to avoid triggering investigations by the Royal Military Police.
According to the BBC, evidence also emerged that then-Prime Minister David Cameron was repeatedly warned by Afghan President Hamid Karzai about UK Special Forces killing civilians. A spokesperson for Lord Cameron has denied knowledge of specific incidents and described allegations of a cover-up as “total nonsense.”
Alleged culture of violence
Panorama’s investigation also uncovered claims that some SAS operatives kept personal kill counts and competed to achieve higher numbers. One soldier was described as “notorious” for killing dozens of people during a six-month tour. Another incident involved a soldier allegedly slitting an injured man’s throat to “blood his knife.”
Veterans also spoke of a pervasive atmosphere of impunity within the ranks. “Everyone knew” what was occurring, and the behaviour was reportedly condoned by higher authorities. One SAS veteran stated that some members were “intoxicated” by the act of killing.
Response from the Ministry of Defence
In response to the BBC report, the MoD reiterated its commitment to the ongoing public inquiry, urging all veterans with relevant information to come forward. It refrained from addressing specific allegations.
Bruce Houlder KC, a former director of service prosecutions, expressed hope that the inquiry would investigate how far up the command chain awareness of these actions extended. He questioned whether David Cameron’s government was fully informed about the alleged war crimes.
The current inquiry, led by a judge, was initially limited to examining a three-year period of SAS operations. However, the new testimonies suggest that the misconduct extended over a decade, implicating both the SAS and SBS.
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