A revelation by BBC Panorama indicates that a top UK general failed to report possible war crimes committed by the SAS in Afghanistan and later oversaw the denial of hundreds of Afghan commandos’ UK resettlement applications. Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins, who led UK Special Forces in Afghanistan during the alleged war crimes, appointed a UKSF officer to assess the Afghan commando applications after special forces headquarters gained the power to veto them. Subsequently, many applications from Afghan Special Forces members, including those from the Triples units, were rejected, leading to severe consequences for these individuals at the hands of the Taliban.
Sources within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed that the UK Special Forces officer, appointed by Gen Jenkins, directed civil service caseworkers to reject the Triples applications on questionable grounds. The officer’s actions were believed to have received approval from Gen Jenkins himself, casting a shadow of doubt over the decision-making process. Concerns were raised over the treatment of these Afghan commandos, with reports of torture and killings at the hands of the Taliban following the rejection of their resettlement applications.
Former Minister Johnny Mercer raised concerns over the Special Forces’ involvement in the vetting process, pointing out a conflict of interest that could have serious repercussions. The rejected Triples applications were overturned in large numbers following a government review, highlighting flaws in the initial decision-making process. The shock and outrage felt by former members of British special forces and legal experts shed light on the injustices faced by these Afghan commandos, calling into question the motivations behind the rejections and the subsequent repercussions endured by these individuals
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