Former UK Personnel Break Silence on Alleged War Crimes in Afghanistan

DID Press: Two British witnesses have told the UK’s public inquiry into alleged misconduct by British special forces in Afghanistan that Afghan civilians were unlawfully killed and detainees mistreated during military operations, expressing regret for remaining silent for years about the alleged abuses.

According to British media reports, the witnesses—a former British Army serviceman and a former journalist—gave confidential testimony to the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan, describing alleged incidents in which members of the UK’s special forces killed Afghan civilians and subjected detainees to violent and degrading treatment.

The witnesses told the inquiry they regretted not speaking out sooner, saying some of the alleged abuses had remained hidden from public scrutiny for years. Their testimony forms part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of unlawful conduct during British military operations in Afghanistan.

The independent inquiry is examining allegations of possible war crimes committed by UK Special Forces during deliberate detention operations between mid-2010 and mid-2013. Its mandate includes investigating claims of unlawful killings of Afghan civilians, mistreatment of detainees, and whether any subsequent efforts were made to conceal the alleged misconduct.

The inquiry remains ongoing, and no final findings or legal conclusions have yet been issued. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has said it is cooperating with the investigation.