General Sir Patrick Sanders, the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, has expressed his support for an independent investigation into allegations of war crimes by British special forces in Afghanistan.
In a letter to serving and former military personnel, Sanders stressed the importance of the investigation. He said that the Army is committed to the values of democracy and the rule of law, and that it is important to ensure that any allegations of wrongdoing are properly investigated.
The investigation, which is being conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is looking into allegations that British special forces killed unarmed civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.
Sanders’s support for the investigation is a significant development. It suggests that the Army is taking the allegations seriously and is committed to ensuring that justice is served. The IOPC is expected to publish its findings in early 2024
