Latest news with #LordJusticeHaddon-Cave
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Veterans recall seeing SAS 'kill handcuffed kids' in slew of 'war crimes'
Veterans who fought with the UK Special Forces such as the SAS have accused members of their squads of horrific war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, including the murder of children Ex-UK Special Forces fighters have accused former colleagues of committing war crimes, including executing handcuffed children and unarmed people while sleeping. Veterans have given details of several incidents which allegedly happened in Iraq and Afghanistan over more than a decade. Some are said to have involved the SAS amid accusations of detainees being handcuffed and then shot dead, while others are said to have kept count of their number of kills to compare with others. The length of time the allegations are said to have continued over is far longer than the three years currently being investigated by a public inquiry. One veteran who served with the SAS in Afghanistan told BBC Panorama: 'They handcuffed a young boy and shot him. He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age... They'd search someone, handcuff them, then shoot them.' He added they would then remove the plastic handcuffs used to restrain people and "plant a pistol" by the body. Another veteran added: 'If a target had popped up on the list two or three times before, then we'd go in with the intention of killing them, there was no attempt to capture them," said one veteran who served with the SAS, referring to people who had been previously captured, questioned and then released. "Sometimes we'd check we'd identified the target, confirm their ID, then shoot them. Often the squadron would just go and kill all the men they found there." A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We are fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan as its work continues. It is not appropriate for the MOD to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the Statutory Inquiry, or to speculate on outcomes. 'Anyone can provide evidence to the Inquiry, no matter where in the world they are. If any potential evidence is – or has been – uncovered by BBC Panorama, we would urge them to get in touch with the Inquiry team and the Police.' In 2022 the MOD launched an independent inquiry to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by British Armed Forces. The inquiry is chaired by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, a Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales and covers a period between 2010 and 2013. Then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "Defence has made a number of changes in recent years when dealing with serious allegations of wrongdoing against our Armed Forces. Many of these are already in operation, including the creation of the Defence Serious Crime Unit. 'While there have been several comprehensive investigations into the events in question, if there are further lessons to learn it is right that we consider those fully to ensure all allegations are handled appropriately and in equal measure to ensure our personnel are adequately protected from unnecessary reinvestigations.' Lord Justice Haddon-Cave added at the time: 'It is important to establish the truth, or otherwise, of the grave allegations which are the focus of the Terms of Reference. They touch on the fine reputation of the military and the UK. 'The public, and all those who serve in the military, are entitled to expect a fair, fearless and thorough examination of the facts and clear answers to the questions raised. I will seek to achieve this within a reasonable timescale.'
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Former UK special forces veterans expose alleged war crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan
UK military personnel are seen onboard an A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan August 28, 2021. Jonathan Gifford/UK MOD Crown copyright 2021/PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article Former members of the UK's elite Special Forces have publicly disclosed accounts of alleged war crimes committed by their colleagues during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In an unprecedented move, these veterans provided eyewitness testimonies to BBC Panorama, detailing incidents of unlawful killings and misconduct by the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS). The testimonies describe a pattern of executions of unarmed individuals, including children, and the planting of weapons on deceased bodies to fabricate justifications for the killings. One veteran recounted an incident where a young boy was handcuffed and shot, emphasizing the routine nature of such actions within the units. Another described witnessing a medic treating a wounded detainee, only for a fellow soldier to execute the individual at close range. These revelations suggest that the unlawful killings were not isolated incidents but part of a broader culture within the Special Forces. The veterans reported that higher command structures were aware of these activities and, in some cases, facilitated cover-ups to prevent investigations. Allegations include the falsification of reports and the suppression of evidence to protect personnel involved in the killings. The Ministry of Defence has stated its commitment to supporting ongoing public inquiries into these allegations. However, the testimonies raise significant concerns about accountability and oversight within the UK's military operations. The public inquiry, led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, continues to examine these serious allegations, with further hearings expected in the coming months.
