The soldiers are reportedly resigning amid investigations into alleged killings of civilians and a cover-up during operations in Afghanistan and Syria.
Soldiers from Britain’s elite SAS force are resigning in large numbers due to fear of prosecution following a human rights investigation into alleged war crimes, according to British media reports.
The investigation focuses primarily on British special forces operations in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013, as well as missions in Syria and Northern Ireland.
A public inquiry is examining claims that soldiers committed extrajudicial killings during night raids, including shooting detainees and unarmed civilians, and whether evidence was falsified and senior officials failed to investigate or covered up wrongdoing.
Members of 22 SAS, the elite special forces unit of the British Army, have applied “Premature Voluntary Release,” Multiple outlets reported Monday, citing insiders. The exact number of departures has not been disclosed, although at least two squadrons (D and G) are understood to have been affected.
“Morale is bad at the moment,” An insider was quoted as saying. Another source described “A lot of anxiety.” Within the regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Williams told LBC radio on Tuesday that the increasing number of departures from 22 SAS was driven by concerns among serving soldiers that actions during the operation could lead to subsequent investigation or possible arrest under human rights law.
Last month, it was revealed that 242 special forces soldiers, including 120 serving personnel, were being pursued by lawyers as part of a human rights inquiry, according to a memo shared with the SAS and Special Reconnaissance Regiment unions. investigation, which some of the men of the regiment have labeled “witch hunt,” The memo says UK covert operations are scrutinized, with soldiers facing legal sanctions if they fail to comply.
In 2022, a BBC Panorama investigation identified 54 people, reportedly unarmed Afghans, shot under suspicious circumstances by an SAS unit during a six-month tour of Helmand province. “Routinely shot and killed” And weapons were imposed on them.
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An inquest in December heard that the director of UK Special Forces had “Conscious Decision” According to the Morning Star, to cover up possible war crimes in Afghanistan. The director said a UKSF officer identified as N1466 “Knew what was happening on the ground” and demanded to “Hide it.”
In one incident submitted for investigation, according to investigative documents, special forces fired into mosquito nets until there was no movement, later finding women and children. The firing was allegedly covered up and the soldier was rewarded.
According to Action on Armed Violence, a review prepared for the investigation found that the Royal Military Police’s investigation into alleged unlawful killings was weakened by delays and poor resources. Operation Northmoor, the main investigation, only began in March 2014 despite concerns raised in early 2011 and was closed in July 2019, the review said “Inappropriate and premature” The decision left key lines of investigation unexamined.
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