The UK’s special forces operated under a so-called “golden pass” that allowed them to commit killings in Afghanistan with impunity, according to testimonies presented to a public inquiry into alleged war crimes. The Financial Times reported that the Afghanistan inquiry, which is examining night raids conducted by UK special forces between 2010 and 2013, heard evidence suggesting a systemic “code of silence” that deterred soldiers from speaking out against potential misconduct.
The inquiry, which published summaries of closed hearings on Wednesday, revealed allegations that UK special forces units were involved in extrajudicial killings that were subsequently covered up. One officer testified that the elite forces appeared to have “a golden pass allowing them to get away with murder.” When asked by inquiry counsel Oliver Glasgow whether operational reports could indicate that soldiers were committing unlawful killings, the officer responded affirmatively.
Another testimony described how individuals who attempted to raise concerns about alleged wrongdoing faced severe backlash. Soldiers were reportedly reprimanded by their peers and told that it was “not your place to question” such actions. One witness expressed fear for their personal safety after providing a statement, highlighting the pervasive secrecy within the special forces community.
The Financial Times noted that the UK’s Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) maintain their mystique through the classified nature of their operations. Political oversight of these units is often limited to a small group of officials, including the Minister of Defence and the Prime Minister.
Documents released by the inquiry depict aggressive tactics employed during missions, including a policy by one unit to “kill all fighting-aged males on target.” Testimonies also referenced the use of planted weapons, colloquially referred to as “Mr Wolf,” to make it appear that those killed were armed insurgents. The name is reportedly linked to a character in the film Pulp Fiction, known for solving problems in murder scenes.
Some soldiers suggested that frustrations with inadequate detention processes in Afghanistan may have led units to take “the law into their own hands.” Graphic descriptions and internal code names further underscore the alleged normalization of violence within these operations. For example, one soldier recounted how killed Afghans were described as being “flat-packed.”
The inquiry, which aims to uncover the truth behind these serious allegations, marks a rare glimpse into the secretive world of the UK’s special forces. While the testimonies were anonymized, they paint a troubling picture of accountability and oversight during a controversial period of the UK’s military involvement in Afghanistan.
