Inquiry Hears SAS War Crimes Allegations Withheld From Police Over Morale Concerns

1-Minute Brief

The handling of alleged civilian deaths by British special forces in Afghanistan has raised questions about transparency and accountability in mili...

Key Facts

• Allegations of extra-judicial killings by SAS troops were not referred to military police for years.
• Concerns about Afghan civilian deaths led the country's then president to complain to Nato commanders.
• Afghan partner forces reportedly stopped working with British forces by 2011 due to these concerns.
• A public inquiry is examining the deaths of up to 80 people during an SAS deployment.
• The decision not to inform police was reportedly made due to fears about the impact on troop morale.

What Happened

A public inquiry has heard that allegations of war crimes by SAS troops in Afghanistan were not promptly reported to military police, and that concerns over civilian deaths led to diplomatic tensions and operational consequences.

Why It Matters

The delayed reporting of serious allegations and the response from Afghan authorities highlight challenges in oversight and international cooperation during military operations. The inquiry may influence future protocols for handling such claims.

What's Next

The public inquiry will continue to examine evidence related to the deaths and the handling of allegations. Further testimony and findings are expected to clarify the extent of the incidents and institutional responses.