United Kingdom, SAS and SBS Veterans Accuse Colleagues of Summary Executions in Iraq and Afghanistan

Serious accusations emerge from the testimonies of former members of the British special forces who served in Iraq and Afghanistan: there are talks of war crimes, extrajudicial executions, and systematic abuses. According to a BBC investigation conducted through the TV program Panorama, over thirty veterans reported shocking episodes, including the killing of civilians and even a handcuffed child.

The new revelations extend the time frame of the abuses well beyond the three years currently examined by an ongoing British public inquiry. For the first time, the accusations concern not only the famous Special Air Service (SAS) but also the Special Boat Service (SBS), the elite regiment of the Royal Navy.

Summary Executions and “Pack” Mentality

The interviewed ex-military personnel described an environment marked by a “pack mentality,” where some colleagues acted “illegally” and exhibited “clear psychopathic traits.” One of the witnesses recounted:

“They handcuffed a boy and shot him. He was clearly a child, not even remotely of combat age.”

Some episodes involve the killing of people while they were sleeping and the subsequent staging of cover-ups, with weapons planted next to the bodies to justify the executions.

The Silence of Institutions and the Call for Truth

Former Prime Minister David Cameron, according to the investigation, was repeatedly informed during his tenure about the actions of the British special forces in Afghanistan. However, his spokesperson described the insinuations of his complicity in covering up crimes as “absolutely unfounded.”

Mike Martin, a Liberal Democrat MP and member of the Parliament's defense committee, commented:

“When we enlisted, we did so to serve legally and with honor. Knowing now that some elite soldiers deliberately ignored these rules is a betrayal.”

Call for International Justice

Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, emphasized the need for “full and transparent accountability”, reiterating the importance of justice for the victims and their families.

The British Ministry of Defense stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing independent inquiry but refused to comment further, emphasizing that anyone with relevant information – wherever they are – is encouraged to provide evidence to the investigative team and the competent authorities.