SAS commandos brand Afghan exit ‘shameful’ as Taliban execute trained troops

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The SAS commandos say a large number of Afghan special forces and counter-terror police have already died at the hands of the Taliban since last month’s British and US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Troops flying to Afghanistan to assist with the exit (

Image: PA)

SAS commandos have branded the UK’s Afghan exit “shameful” as the Taliban execute troops they trained there.

Sources say several senior non-commissioned officers have told superiors there has been a “dereliction of duty”.

It came after SAS men received dozens of pleas on WhatsApp from Afghan special forces who said they were being hunted down and killed.

One source said: “I’ve had several messages from soldiers I worked with. One message said something like, ‘Where are you? Why have you left us?’. Others said, ‘Send help’.

“I can’t believe we just abandoned them. It’s absolutely shameful. They were very brave and capable individuals. They won’t survive – the Taliban know where they live and where their families live.”

One said he was ‘ashamed’ of the decision to withdraw without ensuring troops who worked closely with British special forces would be safe
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Image:

MOD/AFP via Getty Images)

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The troops say a large number of Afghan special forces and counter-terror police have died already since last month’s British and US withdrawal.

One said he was “ashamed” of the decision to withdraw without ensuring troops who worked closely with British special forces would be safe. The insider said: “We should be setting up safe routes to get them to third-party countries – there are plenty of guys willing to go back in and help.”

Armed Forces minister James Heappey has said rescue efforts “will remain open”.

The MoD does not comment on Special Forces.