New Claims Target UK’s SAS Over Afghanistan Operations

DID Press: Fresh allegations have surfaced during the UK Afghanistan Inquiry, with witnesses claiming that members of Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS) mistreated Afghan detainees and that three Afghan farmers were unlawfully killed during a special forces operation.

According to Sky News, former journalist Monica Greenfell and British Army reservist Christopher Green gave evidence in closed hearings before the inquiry. Redacted excerpts of their testimony were released on Tuesday.

Green, who served in Afghanistan between January and September 2012, said he raised concerns after three brothers were killed during a detention operation in the village of Rahim. He said SAS personnel claimed the men were killed in self-defence, but intelligence officers found no evidence suggesting the brothers were anything other than ordinary farmers or that they had links to the Taliban.

Green testified that after voicing his concerns, he faced backlash from members of the special forces, with one soldier allegedly accusing him of being “pro-Taliban.”

The inquiry also heard that Bibi Hazrat, the mother of the three brothers, received £3,634 from the British government as what was described as an ex gratia payment. Green said the payment was unusual and viewed it as an indication that authorities acknowledged the possibility innocent civilians had been killed.

Former journalist Monica Greenfell also testified that an SAS soldier told her some Afghan detainees were subjected to abuse, including being lifted by a forklift and dropped to the ground while the vehicle was moving at speed.

The UK Ministry of Defence said it is fully cooperating with the Afghanistan Inquiry but declined to comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.

The inquiry into allegations involving British special forces in Afghanistan has been underway for nearly five years, but has yet to reach a final conclusion.