Afghanistan War Crimes Inquiry Costs Exceed $58 Million
Three-year probe into alleged SAS killings faces delays, impacting military readiness.
An inquiry into allegations of war crimes by British Special Forces in Afghanistan has incurred costs of £58 million, with the investigation spanning over three and a half years without issuing findings. The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan (IIRTA) was established to examine claims that soldiers from the Special Air Service (SAS) murdered unarmed Afghan civilians, including children, during night raids targeting the Taliban between 2010 and 2013.
The inquiry stated that its work has become more extensive and complex than initially anticipated, also citing delays by the Ministry of Defence in providing information as contributing factors to the extended timeline.
Inquiry Timeline and Scope
The IIRTA began hearing evidence in 2023, following its establishment by former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. This action came in response to allegations first reported by BBC Panorama in 2022. Numerous witnesses have since provided testimony in both open and closed sessions.
Senior UK military personnel have testified that the SAS may have conducted extrajudicial killings of Afghan civilians. Concerns have also been raised regarding the secrecy surrounding SAS operations and the early closure of previous investigations into these claims. Many SAS and Special Boat Service (SBS) witnesses have provided testimony in private due to security classifications and the need to protect their identities. Troops have reportedly avoided discussing SAS night raids due to fears that their statements could be used against them or their colleagues in potential criminal proceedings.
Financials and Impact
Costs for the inquiry reached £14.68 million by the end of the 2024-2025 financial year, covering salaries for the chair, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, its secretariat, legal counsel, and expert witnesses. However, the Ministry of Defence has stated the total cost amounts to £58 million as of March 2026. This figure includes payments to the MoD and the inquiry team. Currently, 74 MoD staff are dedicating more than half their working time to the inquiry.
The SAS Regimental Association (SASRA) has expressed its commitment to supporting the inquiry and its timely resolution. However, SASRA noted that the prolonged nature of the investigation is causing significant harm, posing challenges not only to the regiment's reputation and the well-being of its members but also, in their view, to the operational effectiveness of a critical national defense asset.
A spokesperson for the inquiry affirmed the chair's commitment to the welfare and safety of UK Special Forces personnel and witnesses participating in the investigation.
