Special forces blocked UK resettlement applications from elite Afghan troops
BBC NewsFEB 21 2024
UK: MOD Confirms Special Forces Blocked the Resettlement of Over 2K Afghan Commandos
Above: Afghan special forces attend a graduation ceremony at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 17, 2021. Image copyright: Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
UK Special Forces (UKSF) rejected resettlement applications from upwards of 2K Afghan Commandos, despite credible evidence that they met the criteria for approval, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) confirmed for the first time this month.
Following the withdrawal of international forces and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the UK government set up the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme to protect Afghan troops who fought alongside UK forces in order to protect them from Taliban reprisals.
However, reporting from BBC Panorama last year, citing leaked UKSF documents, revealed that military units had veto power over the process, and used this power to block hundreds of applications. They were suspected of doing so to prevent Afghan soldiers from testifying in an ongoing UK war crimes inquiry.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The government’s commitment to rectifying errors in the ARAP scheme, particularly regarding Afghan specialist units like the Triples, reflects its dedication to righting past wrongs. Despite previous delays, it has made significant progress and its ongoing efforts demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility toward those who supported UK forces.
Establishment-critical narrative
These resettlement application denials left behind hundreds of Afghani soldiers, who fought alongside British troops, to fend against the Taliban. As a result, many have already been tortured or killed. This scandal can't be remedied by apology and reform — justice must be served to those who abandoned British allies in order to cover up the extent of their crimes.