More than 2,000 Afghan commandos, who fought alongside British Special Forces, have had their resettlement applications rejected, raising concerns over possible cover-ups of alleged war crimes.
In a significant and controversial revelation, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that more than 2,000 Afghan commandos who provided credible evidence of their service with elite British units have had their applications for resettlement denied. These units, known as the Triples (CF 333 and ATF 444), were trained, supported, and paid by UK Special Forces (UKSF) to combat the Taliban on high-risk operations.
Despite their crucial role and the clear dangers they face from the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, every resettlement application referred to UKSF for sponsorship was reportedly rejected. The MoD had previously denied a blanket policy of rejection, but court documents and investigative reporting have now exposed otherwise.
A Veto Shrouded in Secrecy
In 2023, BBC Panorama revealed that UK Special Forces command had been granted veto power over resettlement applications, a decision that stirred widespread anger among former SAS members and military personnel who fought alongside Afghan units. Initially, the MoD denied the existence of this veto, accusing the BBC of inaccuracies. However, then-Defence Minister Andrew Murrison later admitted to Parliament that the government had misled the public and lawmakers.
Court documents from a recent legal challenge disclosed that the MoD knew as early as last year that UKSF rejection decisions were “potentially unsound” and required independent review. The review, which began over a year ago and was expected to conclude in 12 weeks, remains incomplete, leaving many Afghan commandos in limbo.
Evidence of War Crimes and Alleged Motives
A key point of contention is that the Afghan Triples units were present during British Special Forces operations in Afghanistan now under investigation for alleged war crimes. Critics suggest the rejection of resettlement applications may be an attempt to prevent Afghan commandos from providing crucial testimony to the ongoing inquiry.
Mike Martin MP, a former British Army officer and member of the Defence Select Committee, stated that the situation “appears” as though UK Special Forces blocked these applications to avoid witness testimony on “horrific” allegations of murder by UK forces.
Johnny Mercer, a former Conservative MP and Afghanistan veteran, testified to the Afghan inquiry that Afghan commandos could provide vital evidence. He voiced concern that the failure to resettle these individuals was a deliberate effort to shield UK Special Forces from accountability.
Delays with Deadly Consequences
While some resettlement rejections have since been overturned, allowing a small number of former Triples members to reach safety in the UK, the majority remain in hiding in Afghanistan. Many lack the legal representation needed to challenge their rejections or even to find out if their cases are under review. Reports indicate that dozens have been tortured or killed by the Taliban since the country fell.
“The delays have caused a lot of problems. People have been captured by the Taliban or lost their lives,” said a former Triples officer, adding that Afghan commandos who fought “like brothers” alongside British troops now feel betrayed.
A Legal Battle for Transparency
The MoD now faces a legal challenge over its failure to inform Afghan commandos whether their applications are being reconsidered or the criteria used to assess eligibility. The challenge, brought by a former senior member of the Triples now in the UK, seeks justice for those still in Afghanistan.
Lawyers for the Afghan commandos have heavily criticized the MoD’s lack of transparency and inadequate disclosure of key documents about the resettlement rejection process. In court, the MoD has failed to provide any internal UKSF or government records that would explain why these applications were denied.
New evidence suggests that some applications from Afghan commandos who supported British operations after 2014 were rejected outright, without even being referred to UKSF headquarters. The MoD’s official explanation that British involvement transitioned to “training and advising” after 2014 was directly contradicted by former officers, who confirmed that UK-led operations with CF 333 continued beyond that period.
Calls for Accountability
As the legal battles and public outcry intensify, the MoD insists that no part of the agency has attempted to block Afghan testimonies to the war crimes inquiry. However, mounting evidence suggests otherwise, placing the UK’s treatment of its Afghan allies under harsh scrutiny.
“If Special Forces made these rejections, they should say why. They should have to answer,” a former Triples officer emphasized.
With hundreds of Afghan commandos still fearing for their lives, the fight for their right to resettlement and justice continues — a stark reminder of the moral obligations owed to those who stood alongside British forces in war.