LONDON: Around 200 ex-Afghan special forces, whose crucial anti-Taliban operations were deemed “incredibly important” by the UK, have been denied relocation to the country, according to a report by the BBC on Monday. The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme has also rejected 32 former government officials and civilian leaders who supported Britain’s mission in Afghanistan.
The move has sparked strong criticism from senior British military figures, including Gen. Richard Barrons, who served in Afghanistan for over a decade. Barrons condemned the UK government’s failure to relocate the former soldiers as a “disgrace” and a “betrayal,” suggesting that the consequences could include the loss of lives or imprisonment for those who served alongside British forces.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously acknowledged the importance of the former Afghan special forces’ work in 2021, praising their effectiveness in combating opium production and the Taliban presence. Two elite Afghan units, Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444, known as “the Triples,” were set up with British support.
Former Afghan Special Forces Feel Abandoned and Betrayed
Ali, a former member of CF333, expressed feeling “abandoned and betrayed” after spending extensive time collaborating with British soldiers. Despite overseeing the protection of British passport holders during the evacuation from Kabul in August 2021, Ali was denied entry on emergency flights, prompting him to flee to Pakistan to avoid reprisals from the Taliban.
The BBC reported that up to 200 other former soldiers, facing similar circumstances as Ali, have encountered delays or rejections in their applications to the UK’s ARAP scheme. Civilian leaders, such as Mohammad Fahim, a former governor of Helmand province’s Garmsir district, have also been denied relocation despite their significant contributions to countering the Taliban.
Lt. Gen. Abdul Hadi Khalid, former first commanding officer of CF333, expressed concern that the UK’s treatment of the Triples would tarnish the country’s reputation in the region. He emphasized the potential impact on the trust other nations and progressive forces place in the West when witnessing the situation in Afghanistan.
In response to the BBC’s report, a UK Ministry of Defense spokesman stated that each ARAP application is assessed individually and in accordance with published policy. He maintained that eligibility is not automatically determined based on a job role. The ministry highlighted that around 24,600 people, including thousands eligible for Afghan schemes, have been brought to safety so far.
