Inquiry into SAS 'war crimes' in Afghanistan has already cost £58million as special forces troops say three-year probe is hurting nation's defence

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 05:03 EDT, 17 September 2026 | Updated: 05:09 EDT, 17 September 2026 An inquiry into allegations that British Special Forces murdered unarmed Afghan civilians has cost £58m, new figures have revealed.The inquiry has been running for more than three and a half years and has yet to publish any findings, despite aiming to report 'at least on an interim basis' within 12 to 18 months.The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan (IIRTA) was commissioned to investigate alleged war crimes committed by soldiers serving with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.The allegations include that during so-called night raids targeting the Taliban, the SAS murdered detainees and unarmed civilians, including children.In a statement in response to the delay in the findings, the inquiry said its work was 'greater and more complex than it originally envisaged'.It also said that delays by the Ministry of Defence in disclosing information had also affected the timetable.The Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan began hearing evidence in 2023 after being set up by the former defence secretary, Ben Wallace, in the wake of allegations first reported by BBC Panorama in 2022. Since then, scores of witnesses have provided evidence in closed and open sessions. The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan (IIRTA) to investigate alleged war crimes committed by soldiers serving with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. Pictured: An earlier SAS night raid in Iraq Pictured: Afghan and Western Special Forces in Helmand Province Afghanistan fighting the TalibanThe inquiry has already heard from senior UK military personnel who believed that the SAS did carry out extrajudicial killings of Afghan civilians.It also heard concerns raised about secrecy in how the SAS operated and how previous investigations into the claims were closed early. Last year, it was reported that the elite troops have ignored requests to discuss SAS night raids over fears that evidence they provide could be used against them or their colleagues in any subsequent criminal investigation.Most SAS and SBS witnesses have given testimony behind closed doors due to restrictions around their identity and security classifications surrounding operations. Up until the end of the 2024-5 financial year, the inquiry's costs were reported to be £14.68m. This includes salaries for the chair, Sir Charles Haddon-Cave, its secretariat, lawyers and expert witnesses. However, a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC revealed that the MoD put the overall cost at £58million to March 2026. The costs included payments to the MoD along with those of the inquiry team, it said. It added that 74 staff at the MoD were currently working more than 50 per cent of their time on the inquiry. The inquiry said its spending was proportionate and overseen judicially. The SAS Regimental Association (SASRA) said it remained committed to supporting the inquiry and its conclusion in a 'timely solution', but added that the 'prolonged nature' of the inquiry has caused 'significant and widening harm'.It said that the inquiry poses a 'significant challenge, not only to the regiment's reputation and the wellbeing and morale of its members, but in the association's view, to the operational effectiveness of a key element of the nation's defence'.A spokesperson for the inquiry told the BBC: 'The chair remains committed to the welfare and safety of UK Special Forces personnel and witnesses who come forward to the inquiry.'