Afghan Soldiers Who Fought Alongside British Forces Say They Feel ‘Betrayed’
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed for the first time that UK Special Forces command rejected more than 2,000 resettlement applications from Afghan commandos who served alongside British forces in life-threatening operations against the Taliban.
The revelation comes amid growing scrutiny over the UK’s handling of Afghan resettlement cases, particularly for elite units known as the Triples—CF 333 and ATF 444—which were trained, funded, and deployed by UK Special Forces (UKSF). These units were considered highly skilled combat forces and played a critical role in joint counterterrorism missions.
Despite the Afghan commandos’ direct ties to British military operations, the MoD has not provided an explanation for the rejections and has failed to confirm whether any applications were approved.
Mass Rejections Without Explanation
The MoD had previously denied the existence of a blanket rejection policy, but an investigation by BBC Panorama last year revealed that UKSF command had been granted veto power over all resettlement applications. New court documents have now confirmed that every single case referred to UKSF was rejected, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
The UK government originally claimed that each application was reviewed on an individual basis, but there is no evidence that UK Special Forces supported even a single resettlement case.
When asked directly whether UKSF backed any applications, the MoD declined to answer, further deepening suspicions about the true motives behind the rejections.
Why These Rejections Are Controversial
The rejection of more than 2,000 applications has sparked outrage among veterans, legal experts, and human rights groups, particularly because:
- Afghan Special Forces Were in Grave Danger
- After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, members of the Triples were labeled traitors due to their collaboration with UK Special Forces.
- Many have since been hunted down, tortured, or killed in reprisal attacks.
- Possible Link to War Crimes Inquiry
- The UK is currently conducting a public inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by British Special Forces in Afghanistan.
- Members of the Triples were present at operations under investigation, meaning their testimonies could be crucial to uncovering misconduct.
- Some analysts believe UK Special Forces blocked their resettlement to prevent them from testifying.
- Government Previously Denied Veto Power
- The MoD initially claimed there was no UKSF veto on resettlement cases, but later admitted to misleading Parliament about the policy.
- Defence Minister Andrew Murrison was later forced to acknowledge that the government’s previous statements were inaccurate.
Public Inquiry and Legal Challenges
A legal challenge against the MoD is now underway, led by a former senior Afghan commando now residing in the UK. The lawsuit seeks to:
- Compel the MoD to disclose its review criteria and the rationale behind the rejections.
- Determine whether UKSF deliberately blocked applications to silence potential war crime witnesses.
- Ensure that Afghan commandos still trapped in Afghanistan are informed about the status of their applications.
Despite the UK government promising a 12-week review of the 2,022 rejected applications, the process has now taken over a year with no transparency.
Even though some decisions have been overturned, many Afghan commandos remain in hiding or on the run, with no legal assistance and no way to appeal.
‘We Worked Like Brothers – Now We Feel Betrayed’
Former Afghan officers who fought alongside British Special Forces say they feel abandoned and betrayed.
- “The delays have cost lives,” said a former Triples officer, speaking anonymously for safety reasons.
- “Some of our men have already been captured or killed. We fought beside the UK like brothers. Now they have left us to die.”
Another Afghan commando, now in the UK, added:
- “If UK Special Forces rejected our cases, they should explain why. They must be held accountable.”
What Happens Next?
With the public inquiry into UK war crimes still ongoing, pressure is mounting on the MoD to release documents related to the decision-making process behind these mass rejections.
Several British veterans and MPs have called for greater transparency, arguing that the UK has a moral and legal duty to protect those who served alongside its forces.
The MoD has yet to respond to new court filings that challenge its lack of disclosure regarding Special Forces’ involvement in resettlement decisions.
For now, thousands of Afghan commandos remain in danger, with little hope of finding safety in the UK—despite their proven service and loyalty to Britain’s military operations.
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