An independent inquiry has heard that UK special forces killed nine unarmed civilians during an Afghanistan night raid. The SAS had claimed they acted in self-defence against armed men. However, details of seven separate kill/capture missions involving the deaths of 33 people, including a number of children, have been set out by counsel to the inquiry, Oliver Glasgow KC. The alleged unlawful killings occurred in Nad Ali district, Helmand, in February 2011.
Hundreds of detention operations were carried out by special forces between 2010 and 2013, with officers suspected of carrying out a policy of executing “fighting age” men even if they posed no threat. The tribunal also claims that the SAS’ night raids were abused to commit “numerous” extra-judicial killings, which was allegedly covered up by the authorities.
In one incident, victims were sleeping in a single-roomed outbuilding, with the victims being unarmed civilians who the SAS reportedly shot while in bed. The alleged cover-up has been an issue, with families calling for “the truth” throughout the process. Allegations of cover-ups of illegal activity and inadequate investigations by the Royal Military Police (RMP) will also be examined.
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