The United Kingdom’s Special Forces (SF), long celebrated for their bravery and professionalism, now stand accused of conduct that threatens to overshadow their historic legacy. For decades, the SAS and SBS have represented the pinnacle of British military excellence, revered and lauded for their exploits in some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts. Today, they are increasingly associated with controversy, facing allegations of war crimes, misconduct, and systemic failings in accountability.
Recent revelations from the Independent Afghanistan Inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, have uncovered a pattern of extrajudicial killings and cover-ups during operations conducted between 2010 and 2013.
This inquiry has exposed a culture within the UK’s SF unites where unlawful actions were allegedly normalised, with commanders ignoring or even concealing evidence of misconduct to protect the reputation of the unit.
The Afghanistan Revelations
The Afghanistan Inquiry has revealed harrowing accounts of special forces operatives killing unarmed individuals during night raids, often planting weapons on the deceased to fabricate justifications for their actions. Witness testimony describes a chilling euphemism – “flat-packing” – used by SF operatives to refer to executing detainees and staging self-defence scenarios. Documents submitted to the inquiry show that concerns about these practices were raised internally but were routinely dismissed or buried.
One witness recounted how all “fighting-age males” encountered during these raids were targeted, regardless of whether they posed a threat. In some cases, detainees were reportedly killed while handcuffed, and evidence of their supposed “combatant status” was manufactured after the fact. The inquiry has brought to light emails from senior officers expressing dismay at the scale of the alleged misconduct, with one noting that the SF appeared to have adopted an unofficial policy of executing detainees.
This culture of impunity was compounded by the systemic destruction of critical evidence. Operation Northmoor, a Royal Military Police investigation into these allegations, was reportedly hindered by the deletion of emails and operational records that could have substantiated claims of wrongdoing. Such actions have only served to deepen the public’s mistrust of an institution that once commanded widespread respect.
Controversy Beyond Afghanistan
The allegations against Britain’s special forces are not confined to Afghanistan. Investigations are also underway into operations in Libya and Syria, where similar accusations of excessive force and unlawful killings have been levelled. In Libya, a covert mission conducted by the Special Boat Service is under scrutiny following the death of a suspected terrorist. Critics argue that the individual could have been captured alive, raising questions about whether lethal force was justified.
In Syria, nine SAS soldiers are being investigated for their involvement in incidents where unarmed individuals were allegedly killed. One case reportedly involves the shooting of a suspected jihadist found near a primed bomb vest but not wearing it at the time of his death. The soldiers claim their actions were necessary to prevent an imminent attack, but senior commanders are said to believe that excessive force was used and that the suspect could have been apprehended instead.
The Ministry of Defence, for its part, has remained characteristically tight-lipped, issuing statements emphasising the professionalism and high standards of British personnel while declining to comment on specific cases. However, such reassurances ring hollow against the backdrop of mounting evidence suggesting systemic failures within the UK’s special forces.
Misconduct at Home
The specific reputational damage to the SAS is not limited to actions abroad. Last year, two SAS soldiers were arrested on drug-related charges in Herefordshire, further tarnishing the unit’s image. The case has ignited a debate about whether the soldiers’ identities should be made public, with their defence citing national security risks. While the charges themselves may not seem significant compared to the allegations of war crimes, they point to a broader issue of discipline and oversight within the regiment.
The Ministry of Defence has long operated under a policy of secrecy when it comes to special forces, shielding these units from scrutiny even as evidence of misconduct accumulates. This lack of transparency has created an environment where accountability is undermined, allowing behaviours that would be unacceptable in other branches of the military to persist unchecked.
The Impact of Secrecy
The government’s insistence on protecting the anonymity of special forces personnel has come under increased criticism. Freedom of Information requests regarding these units are routinely denied, and no parliamentary select committee oversees their operations. While the need to safeguard operational security is understandable, this blanket secrecy has made it virtually impossible for the public to hold these elite units to account.
The repeated issuances of a Defence Advisory Notice, or ‘D Notice,’ to media outlets, urging them not to publish details about SF operations, exemplifies the government’s approach. The notice cited concerns about the safety of personnel involved in sensitive missions, but critics argue that such measures further entrench a culture of unaccountability.
This secrecy not only damages public trust but also risks undermining the operational effectiveness of the special forces themselves. When accountability is absent, the standards of discipline and professionalism that underpin these units can begin to erode, as evidenced by the range of allegations now emerging.
A Call for Reform
The UK’s special forces are at a crossroads. The inquiry into Afghanistan, as well as the ongoing investigations into operations in Libya and Syria, represent an opportunity to confront the failings that have tarnished the reputation of these once-revered units. This will require more than the usual platitudes about learning lessons; it will demand structural reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability.
Parliament must establish robust oversight mechanisms for special forces operations, including the creation of a dedicated select committee with the authority to review their actions, or putting SF unit oversight under the purview of existing select committees.
The Ministry of Defence must also take steps to improve the integrity of its investigations, ensuring that evidence of wrongdoing is preserved and that those responsible are held to account.
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