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Many Afghan soldiers in the special forces, who put their lives at risk to fight against the Taliban, have been left behind by Britain. However, in a significant win for The Independent, they will now be granted refuge in the UK.
Approximately 400 military personnel who were members of two specialized units will have their requests to live in the UK reevaluated following a decision by the Ministry of Defence to alter their application process.
Following a collaborative investigation by The Independent, Lighthouse Reports, and Sky News, there has been a significant change in direction. It was uncovered that soldiers who had worked closely with British special forces were denied assistance by the UK government and subsequently suffered torture and murder at the hands of the Taliban. This was despite ample evidence proving their involvement and support in joint operations.
Afghan commandos fought side-by-side with British soldiers in their war against the Taliban
The two groups are commonly referred to as the Triples due to their official names being the Afghan Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444.
After conducting a six-month investigation, we discovered that the government was not adequately reviewing their cases, despite meeting the requirements for assistance under the Arap (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) program. This program aims to relocate eligible Afghans who have worked with the British.
In certain instances, it appeared that no attention was given to official certificates and identification cards demonstrating their affiliation with the UK Special Forces (UKSF). In other cases, recommendations from British coworkers and proof of a salary from the UK were disregarded.
Since the withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has killed at least six members of the Triples group.
The British and American governments surrendered special forces units to the Taliban.
After much persuasion within the government, The Independent has learned that ministers have decided to reconsider the applications of the soldiers, acknowledging that they were in fact compensated by the British.
If the special forces soldiers are successful, they will be permitted to bring their family members to the UK, potentially providing refuge for thousands of individuals in Afghanistan and Pakistan who are in danger.
Supporters of the soldiers have expressed satisfaction with the announcement and urged the government to take immediate action in relocating these individuals and their loved ones. They raised doubts about the MoD’s decision-making process and expressed concerns about their preference for a “case-by-case” approach.
“I am happy to hear that the government has agreed to reassess the cases of the Triples and that the Ministry of Defence has acknowledged – as many veterans have argued – that these Afghan soldiers, who were both paid and trained by the UK, deserve our help and protection.”
He stated: “I have noticed that there is a planned case-by-case review process. It is crucial that this process is not used as a way to delay, as the lives of these courageous individuals and their loved ones are in danger. The review must be completed within days, not years.”
The timing is crucial because around 200 special forces currently residing in Pakistan may be deported back to Afghanistan if the UK does not arrange for their relocation promptly.
Numerous ex-Triples have been subjected to torture by the Taliban after their seizure of power.
Minister of Security Tom Tugendhat expressed regret over abandoning our fellow servicemen. Johnny Mercer, the Minister of Veterans, has been diligently striving to rectify the situation.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to make a parliamentary announcement this week regarding the changes.
The Independent also understands that questions have been asked by officials working for the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, which is investigating alleged war crimes committed by the UK Special Forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, over the UKSF’s unwillingness to approve Triples’ cases for UK resettlement.
It has been reported that when a previous member of CF333 or ATF444 seeks assistance from the MoD, their situation is handed over to UKSF for examination. However, it has been alleged that UKSF has been causing delays and denying a significant number of cases, resulting in widespread denials.
Prior to the reversal, there was a belief within the Ministry of Defense that assisting the Triples would be difficult due to lack of cooperation from the UK Special Forces. Officials from the Independent Inquiry are particularly intrigued by the Triples units, as they may possess valuable information pertinent to the investigation, according to sources.
The situation of the Triples in the Commons was brought up to Armed Forces Minister James Heappey for discussion.
Sara de Jong, a professor at the charity organization Sulha Alliance, stated that the government’s reversal on this issue demonstrates their ability to correct their mistakes. However, there are numerous other incorrect decisions made by the government, particularly in regards to special forces cases, that require urgent review. Our work with interpreters and laborers also reveals a series of mistakes.
“I am pleased to see that the government’s stance towards the Triples has finally been revised,” said Sarah Fenby-Dixon, an Afghanistan consultant at the Refugee Aid Network.
This is a testament to the relentless efforts of lawyers, journalists, and volunteers who acknowledged the alarming dangers and assaults faced by these men due to their collaboration with UK forces.
“It is crucial for the government to take all necessary measures to promptly relocate these men and their families.”
A representative from the Ministry of Defence stated that they would not provide a statement “based on assumptions” and emphasized that any Arap applications would be evaluated individually.
“We are fulfilling our promise to the brave Afghans who aided the UK’s mission in Afghanistan and have been given permanent residency status.”
“Up to this point, we have successfully evacuated approximately 24,600 individuals from Afghanistan. This includes over 15,200 individuals from the Arap program, which is known for its generosity, as well as numerous Afghans who qualify for our resettlement initiatives.”
Source: independent.co.uk
