SAS Inquiry Expands to Hear Direct Evidence

What's happened

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave has identified multiple SAS personnel to hear direct evidence on the alleged deliberate detention operations and related killings in Afghanistan. Rule 9 requests have been issued; many witnesses intend to invoke privilege, and the inquiry seeks further testimony and documents.

What's behind the headline?

The Bigger Picture

• The inquiry is accelerating toward direct testimonies from SAS personnel, potentially reshaping accountability for covert operations.
• The influx of Rule 9 requests signals a formal push for documentary evidence, which could lead to prosecutions if findings are criminal in nature.
• The timing aligns with ongoing parliamentary and MoD scrutiny of special forces conduct, raising public confidence issues around military justice.

What’s at Stake

• If credible, the evidence could force new investigations and policy reforms within UK special forces governance.
• Families of victims are seeking transparent documentation of events and proper accountability.

Forecast

• Expect continued hearings through October and November, with potential for significant revelations as more witnesses testify and documents are reviewed.

How we got here

The Independent Inquiry considers allegations of more than 50 summary killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan (2010–2013) and potential cover-ups by the Royal Military Police. Public hearings have begun, with thousands of high‑resolution images and testimonies from Afghan families. The inquiry is examining investigations conducted by the Royal Military Police and possible breaches of the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Our analysis

Arab News, The Guardian, BBC Business all report on the unfolding inquiry led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, including Rule 9 notices and the focus on Deliberate Detention Operations (DDOs). Direct quotes highlight resistance from witnesses invoking privilege and the scale of the evidentiary materials.

Go deeper

• What documents are currently in question for the Rule 9 requests?
• Will this inquiry lead to prosecutions, and when might outcomes be announced?
• How are Afghan families engaging with the process?

More on these topics

• Afghanistan - Country in South Asia

  Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.

• Defense Ministry - Wikimedia disambiguation page

  A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divided into ministr

• United Kingdom - Country in Europe

  The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the north­western coast of the European mainland.

• Royal Military Police - Army

  The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of army service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK and while service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.

• Helmand Province - Province of Afghanistan

  Helmand, also known as Hillmand or Helman and, in ancient times, as Hermand and Hethumand, is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, in the south of the country. It is the largest province by area, covering 58,584 square kilometres area.