British special forces, including the SAS, have conducted covert operations in 19 countries over the past 12 years, operating without public confirmation or parliamentary oversight, raising concerns about transparency and democratic accountability.
A study has revealed that British special forces, including the SAS, have been involved in covert operations in 19 countries over the past 12 years, including Nigeria, the Philippines, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Sudan. These elite military units operate secretly without public confirmation from ministers. The research group, Action on Armed Violence, compiled the information based on media leaks. The activities of the SAS and other special forces involve high-risk missions conducted under the authorization of the prime minister and defense secretary, often in situations where the UK is not officially at war. Concerns have been raised about the lack of transparency and oversight in the deployment of special forces, as their actions do not require approval from Parliament and are not subject to investigation by any parliamentary committee.