The UK Defense Ministry announced that it has established an independent statutory inquiry to investigate and report on allegations of wrongdoing by the British Armed Forces in relation to their conduct of deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan.
The inquiry will investigate alleged activity during the period mid-2010 to mid-2013, according to the UK Defense Ministry’s statement.
The UK forces were mainly stationed in southern provinces of Afghanistan over the past 20 years of the US-led NATO presence in the country.
“The Secretary of State for Defense has commissioned an independent statutory inquiry under the 2005 Inquiries Act to investigate and report on alleged unlawful activity by
British Armed Forces during deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan,” said Andrew Murrison, Minister for Defense, People and Veterans.
Mohammad Baran, a resident of southern Helmand province, said that he lost four of his brothers in an airstrike conducted by the UK troops.
Baran called on the UK government to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“They were martyred on the avenue by drone. Two of them were young and another two were kids. Whenever I remember them, I feel traumatized,” Baran said.
Bibi Amina, who is from Nawa district of Helmand, said that she lost her three sons in a UK forces operation.
“It has been more than 14 years. If I had not lost my small children, they would work now,” she said.
The Islamic Emirate said that various types of crimes have been committed by foreign troops over the past 20 years in Afghanistan.
“They have killed and harassed innocent people in various parts. We call for their rights. I don’t know how honest this announcement would be to identify the criminals and prosecute them,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, Islamic Emirate’s spokesman.
“It is very important that those Afghans who have suffered over the past 20 years be paid with their rights,” said Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst.
Reports of several organizations accused the UK troops of committing war crimes in Afghanistan.
