A High Court inquiry into alleged war crimes by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq continues to reveal explosive claims, prompting senior SAS figures to publicly defend the regiment against accusations linked to an alleged rival Special Boat Service agenda. Former SAS commanding officer Richard Williams condemned what he described as the inquiry’s selective release of evidence, arguing that testimonies supporting the regiment’s conduct—and counter-narratives from soldiers on the ground—have not been disclosed, creating an unbalanced account of events.

The inquiry, hosted at the Royal Courts of Justice, recently published a large tranche of documents and statements from senior Special Forces officers and civil servants. These reveal allegations—though not yet proven—of Extra Judicial Killings (EJKs) by the SAS, allegedly targeting insurgents between 2010 and 2013. Soldiers potentially involved in unlawful killings, as well as officers suspected of concealing them, could face criminal investigation. The claims further extend beyond this period, raising questions about the conduct of Special Boat Service (SBS) operatives.

Testimonies, many second-hand and currently unsubstantiated, describe incidents including a soldier allegedly “murdering” Afghan captives and another firing beneath a mosquito net that sheltered women and children. One soldier was reportedly even rewarded to legitimise a killing. A top commander said he was horrified by the allegations but remained silent to avoid career repercussions, later expressing regret for not reporting suspicions to the Special Investigation Branch in 2011.

A whistleblower identified as N1466 delivered some of the inquiry’s most damning testimony, claiming that the chain of command—including a former director of special forces—actively suppressed concerns about unlawful killings from as early as February 2011. According to N1466, this failure allowed the killings to continue until at least 2013, costing innocent lives, including two toddlers shot in their beds. The whistleblower alleged suspicion that detainees were taken back to targets and executed in violation of the Geneva Conventions, with weapons planted on bodies. Photographs reportedly indicated close-range headshots.

Investigative reporting by BBC Panorama has intensified scrutiny. Interviews with more than 30 veterans who served with or alongside UK special forces described a “mob mentality” and “serious psychopathic traits” among some colleagues. They recounted “routine executions of handcuffed prisoners” and killings of individuals as they slept. There were also allegations that former Prime Minister David Cameron was repeatedly warned about civilian deaths caused by special forces—claims a spokesperson dismissed as “total nonsense,” denying any cover-up.

The mounting allegations have drawn global attention. Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, stressed the importance of full accountability and justice for victims. Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin noted that the testimonies echoed the experiences of Afghan families and criticised elite units for intentionally disregarding rules of engagement. The Ministry of Defence has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the independent inquiry and ensuring transparency while continuing to back its Special Forces. The inquiry is expected to run into 2026 or 2027, with findings that may trigger criminal investigations by the Metropolitan Police. Allegations suggest the SAS killed more than 80 Afghans under suspicious circumstances in Helmand Province during Britain’s military campaign, where nearly 500 British soldiers also lost their lives.