Report: UK Forces Blocked Afghan Troops' Relocation Requests

Facts

• A new BBC investigation has found that UK Special Forces (UKSF) rejected resettlement applications by 'the Triples' under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy scheme (ARAP), despite evidence of their involvement in the anti-Taliban campaign.¹
• The report claims that Afghan Special Forces CF 333 and ATF 444 units — known as the 'Triples' — were funded by the UK in 2002 and 2007, respectively, and had a 'completely symbiotic partnership' with their UK counterparts.²
• It alleges that UKSF has held a veto power over the Triples' applications since January 2023, claiming many didn't fight 'in partnership or alongside' British soldiers. However, the investigation has revealed that the Triples had submitted 'clear' evidence, including letters from the British embassy.³
• The report comes after James Heappey, the UK's Minister of State for the Armed Forces, on Feb. 1 announced a 'reassessment of all eligibility decisions' concerning the CF 333 and ATF 444 units, acknowledging 'inconsistencies' and 'challenges' in decision-making.⁴
• Meanwhile, an investigation by Lighthouse Reports, The Independent, and Sky News in November 2023 found that at least 24 members of the Triples had been tortured or killed by the Taliban since August 2021.⁵
• British forces, alongside the US and other NATO allies, entered Afghanistan in November 2001 — the 'combat mission' officially ended in October 2014. However, a British presence 'engaged in protection duties' remained in the country until 2021.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Lighthouse Reports (a), ³Lighthouse Reports (b), ⁴hansard.parliament.uk, ⁵Independent and ⁶NAM.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by arabnews.com. With allegations of British war crimes continuing to cast a shadow over the UK's military operation in Afghanistan, it's reasonable to suggest that UKSF may be rejecting the relocation of key eyewitnesses as part of a historic cover-up job. Despite fighting and dying alongside UK forces, elite Afghan fighters remain ignored and rejected by the British state — the world deserves to know why.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Telegraph. As announced by the UK government, the relocation applications of Afghan Special Forces units CF 333 and ATF 444, who served alongside British forces in Afghanistan, will be rightly reconsidered. The UK and its people are indebted for their services. Despite the delay, the Triples will finally be given safety and security in Britain.

Predictions