Nine special forces soldiers could face prosecution for alleged war crimes following incidents in Syria and Afghanistan, according to figures revealed after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) initially sought to keep the information secret. The Ministry has confirmed that two separate incidents in Syria, along with one in Afghanistan, are under investigation by the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), the military’s equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service.
The MoD had initially refused to disclose the details, citing national security concerns and the need to preserve military effectiveness. However, after a request from The Times, the decision was reversed. The Times submitted a Freedom of Information request asking for details of all cases under investigation by the SPA in relation to Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The MoD initially withheld the information, but after two months and an internal review, they confirmed the cases involving special forces personnel.
This development follows earlier reports from 2024, when five members of the Special Air Service (SAS) were accused of committing war crimes during their deployment to Syria. The soldiers were alleged to have killed a suspected terrorist, believed to be planning a suicide attack. Senior officers later raised concerns that the soldiers had used excessive force, with suggestions they should have attempted to arrest the individual rather than killing him. Sources close to the case indicated that a suicide vest had been found nearby, though the suspect was not wearing it when killed. This incident occurred more than two years ago, but it remains under investigation.
The MoD confirmed that at least two cases in Syria are being reviewed, with one case involving a single individual and another involving eight. It remains unclear whether these cases are related to the same incident concerning the suicide vest. An additional investigation is underway in Afghanistan, though the nature of the alleged crimes remains undisclosed.
Special forces troops have been involved in a range of operations in Syria and Iraq over the past decade, from targeting operations against Islamic State (IS) militants to sensitive missions, including the rescue of children from the so-called caliphate. Despite their high-profile roles, the actions of these soldiers are under increasing scrutiny, especially in light of the ongoing inquiry into alleged war crimes during the Afghanistan conflict.
An MoD spokesperson stated: “Our UK personnel are respected worldwide for the highest standards, and action will be taken against anyone that fails to meet these standards, including dismissal from service, where appropriate. It would be inappropriate to comment further on ongoing investigations.”
