More than 30 former British special forces soldiers have come forward with allegations that their units killed unarmed civilians, including children, during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking to the BBC Panorama, the veterans claimed that members of the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) killed civilians as they slept. “On some operations, the troops would go into guesthouse-type buildings and kill everyone there,” one veteran said. “They’d go in and shoot everyone sleeping there, on entry. It’s not justified, killing people in their sleep.”

One former SAS soldier described witnessing the execution of a handcuffed child. “He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age,” he told BBC Panorama.

A different veteran claimed that special forces made the killing of detainees “routine.” After executing them, soldiers reportedly removed their restraints and placed weapons beside the bodies to stage the appearance of a firefight.

A veteran stated that everyone was aware of the killings and that mission reports were altered to avoid scrutiny.

According to the BBC, David Cameron, who served as prime minister from June 2010 to November 2013, the period now being examined by a judge-led public inquiry into special forces, was repeatedly informed of concerns raised by then-Afghan President Hamid Karzai regarding the alleged war crimes. 

A spokesman for Cameron stated that “any suggestion that [Cameron] colluded in covering up allegations of serious criminal wrongdoing is total nonsense.”

A public inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by Britain’s Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq has been underway since 2023, following an earlier investigation by BBC Panorama.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) told BBC Panorama that it supports the ongoing public inquiry, launched in 2023, and urged anyone with information to come forward. “It is not appropriate for the MOD to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the statutory inquiry,” the ministry said.