SEVERAL relocation requests from Afghan soldiers who feared persecution after the Taliban took over Kabul were blocked by UK Special Forces despite them fighting together, BBC News has reported.

The members of Afghan Special Forces units CF 333 and ATF 444 - known as the “Triples” — who were at risk of reprisal from the Taliban government — were eligible to apply for resettlement to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme, the report stated.

However, leaked documents show hundreds of relocation applications were rejected by special forces despite some carrying compelling evidence of service alongside the British military.

Dozens of Afghan personnel who supported UK forces in their fight against the Afghan Taliban have reportedly been beaten, tortured, or killed while awaiting relocation.

As part of the procedure, the applications were sent to UK Special Forces to either approve or deny the request, and their decision was final.

While quoting former members of US special forces, the report said the power to veto applications was “a clear conflict of interest” as an inquiry is underway into allegations that the soldiers had committed war crimes during operations in Afghanistan.

The Afghan elite units were also present in these operations.

“At best it’s not appropriate, at worst it looks like they’re trying to cover their tracks,” a former UK Special Forces officer told the BBC.

Two Afghan officers, whose applications were denied, told BBC News they are in hiding in Afghanistan, moving from house to house, unable to stay with their families or to work.

“I was sure that my British colleagues and friends, who we worked for several years alongside, would help me to evacuate to safety. Now I feel that the sacrifices I made have been forgotten,” one of them was quoted by BBC News as saying.

“I feel I have been left alone in the midst of hell.”

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2024