9 members of UK particular forces may face prosecution over alleged warfare crimes linked to not less than two separate incidents in Syria, in response to Ministry of Defence (MoD) information seen by the BBC.
The information, which was initially obtained by way of a Freedom of Info request by The Instances newspaper, exhibits that two instances are being reviewed by the Service Prosecuting Authority (Spa), the army equal of the Crown Prosecution Service.
One case includes one particular person, whereas one other includes eight people.
The MoD didn’t disclose particulars of the instances, or whether or not they concerned singular or a number of incidents.
UK Particular Forces have been deployed on operations in opposition to Islamic State (IS) in Syria in the course of the previous decade – however the MoD doesn’t touch upon operations or the whereabouts of particular forces troops.
An MoD spokesperson stated: “Our UK personnel are revered worldwide for the best requirements and motion will probably be taken in opposition to anybody that fails to satisfy these requirements, together with dismissal from service, the place applicable.
“It might be inappropriate to remark additional on ongoing investigations.”
In March 2024, it emerged that 5 serving SAS troopers have been below investigation over an incident involving allegations of potential warfare crimes in Syria greater than two years in the past.
Based on the Day by day Mail, the incident associated to an operation involving the killing of a suspected jihadist, whose physique was discovered close to to a primed bomb vest – however he was not sporting the vest when killed.
The SAS troopers concerned are alleged by superiors to have used extreme pressure and will have arrested the person as an alternative of killing him, the Mail reported. The troopers are stated to have claimed he posed a risk and meant to hold out a suicide assault.
It’s unclear if this earlier-reported case is similar because the one involving eight people.
Along with the instances in Syria, the MoD information reveals that the Spa can be contemplating a case in relation to a particular forces particular person in Afghanistan. Once more, particulars weren’t supplied of this case.
A public inquiry is being held into the actions of the SAS throughout their time in Afghanistan.
The Unbiased Inquiry referring to Afghanistan – launched within the wake of reporting by the BBC and different media retailers – is investigating whether or not UK Particular Forces killed civilians and unarmed individuals on night time raids in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.
