An investigation has been launched against five members of the British Special Forces (SAS) on suspicion of having committed war crimes during operations in Syria, writes the “Independent” daily.
According to the newspaper, British police arrested members of the SAS unit and an investigation was launched against them on suspicion of killing a suspected militant two years ago.
Officials claim the soldiers used excessive force and should have arrested, not killed, the suspected militant.
“An explosive vest was found nearby, but the suspect was not wearing it at the time of the incident. Soldiers claim he posed a threat and intended to carry out a suicide attack. After a preliminary investigation, the case was turned over to the Department of Defense’s Serious Crimes Unit and it is recommended prosecution of soldiers on charges of murder,” the report said.
British special forces have been deployed in Syria and Iraq for more than a decade to fight the terrorist “Islamic State”.
Members of the SAS are also being investigated for the alleged killing of dozens of people during operations against insurgents in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
