SAS soldiers cleared of ‘murdering jihadist' in Syria
Five Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers have been cleared of murdering a suspected jihadist in Syria.
For the past two years, the elite troops had been facing the prospect of a court martial over the potential charges, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now confirmed that the case has been dropped.
The soldiers had been accused of using excessive force on the battlefield three years ago, according to The Daily Mail.
The group were said to have been involved in setting up a cordon around a building with a 'confirmed jihadist' inside. He had earlier been seen in a video appearing to wear a suicide vest while vowing to 'blow up infidels'.
However, several suspects managed to escape through the cordon, prompting the five soldiers to chase after them.
After catching up with the 'likely suicide bombers', the troops shot the man dead in the darkness because they believed there was an immediate threat to their lives, the Mail reported.
The exact location in Syria and the date of the operation cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
After the killing, the SAS troops were investigated by the Royal Military Police (RMP). Files were also sent to the Service Prosecuting Authority – the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service – which spent 18 months reviewing the case.
'Appalling' wait for justice
A friend told the Mail: 'It takes some believing, but the guys have been staring down the barrel of murder trials for shooting a confirmed jihadist in a live battlefield situation.
'How on Earth anyone could accuse them of using excessive force in that situation was beyond everyone.'
The friend also claimed the men had been 'put through the wringer' so that generals and officials could 'prove how rigorously they can pursue a prosecution'.
'That's fine and dandy for them, but for the soldiers who risked their lives that night to be accused – and to wait so long for justice – that was appalling,' they added.
An MoD spokesman said: 'Our personnel are respected worldwide, and make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation. It's right that we hold them to the highest standards and action is taken where anyone fails to meet them.
'Following thorough investigations and assessments, we can confirm that no charges have been brought forward in these cases.'
Mark Francois, the shadow Armed Forces minister, said: 'It is imperative we continue to recognise the outstanding contribution of our Special Forces to UK security and the incredible risks they take. This case highlighted the dangers they face and the difficult split-second decisions they are forced to make against ruthless enemies.'
The RMP investigation and subsequent review coincided with the independent inquiry into the conduct of special forces in Afghanistan, which has been in progress since 2023.
Afghan families have accused the SAS of conducting a 'campaign of murder' against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the MoD 'sought to prevent adequate investigation'.
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