British Special Forces Crimes in Afghanistan
In the early 21st century, concepts like human rights, justice, and civilian protection became cornerstones of Western foreign policy—at least in appearance. Yet, over two decades later, reports from the battlefield reveal a far darker truth. A recent BBC investigative report has exposed one of the most chilling chapters of the Afghan war, implicating British soldiers in systemic war crimes under the guise of counter-terrorism.
According to the findings, former members of the UK Special Air Service (SAS) admitted that the killing of Afghan civilians and detainees wasn’t an exception—it was a recurring, even addictive pattern. These revelations are just a glimpse into a tragedy long hidden from international scrutiny.
A clear image of the hidden darkness
The BBC’s ‘Panorama’ program spent over a decade investigating, interviewing more than 30 former SAS personnel. Many testified—on condition of anonymity—about unlawful executions, including children, during nighttime raids. Soldiers reportedly staged crime scenes, placing weapons near bodies to fabricate legal justification.
Perhaps most disturbing is the suggestion of a psychological ‘addiction to killing’ among some troops, indicating severe moral and mental breakdowns enabled by a lack of effective oversight. The SAS’s closed structure and absence of parliamentary scrutiny created a breeding ground for unchecked violence. Confidential documents revealed in 2020 confirmed institutional efforts to conceal civilian killings.
Britain was not alone
But Britain wasn’t alone. NATO allies—such as the U.S., France, Germany, and Australia—also face accusations. Australia’s military, for instance, was found to have unlawfully killed at least 39 Afghan civilians. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Gen. Douglas Lute, confirmed that Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s repeated complaints about night raids were well known to Western diplomats and commanders.
These crimes are merely the visible tip of an iceberg. Many incidents were never reported, lost in censorship. The Western campaign in Afghanistan, billed as a mission of ‘security and reconstruction,’ often became a deadly occupation.
Western powers claim to champion human rights, yet their military conduct in Afghanistan tells a different story—one reminiscent of colonial brutality. Media complicity through selective coverage further masked the suffering of Afghan civilians. Only after years of silence did outlets like the BBC finally begin to reveal the truth.
British Special Forces Crimes in Afghanistan; Deceiving public opinion with the mask of human rights
Former UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace admitted in 2019 that the BBC’s accusations were ‘broadly accurate.’ Yet, despite this, the war crimes investigative unit in the UK’s Ministry of Defense was shut down, and individuals like Gen. Gwyn Jenkins—allegedly complicit—were promoted.
Justice remains elusive. Hundreds of violations may still be buried. Though the UK has launched a public inquiry, it is limited in scope and time. The UN’s Richard Bennett stressed that accountability is essential. But without independent investigations and international pressure, justice may never be served.
What we now hear from former soldiers about British Special Forces Crimes in Afghanistan, reflects only part of what Afghans endured for two decades. Despite Western claims of promoting democracy and fighting terror, the outcome was devastation—countless deaths, trauma, and displacement.
The global public—especially in Western nations—must confront this bitter truth. Achieving justice for Afghan victims is not only a moral obligation but also a prerequisite for lasting peace and preventing future atrocities.
Fatemeh Rezayei
