Why are five members of the SAS being investigated for war crimes in Syria? - Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Otto Inglis, Crossgates, Fife.
The Yorkshire Post Letters
By The Yorkshire Post Letters
Published 14th Mar 2024, 11:45 BST

The news that five members of the SAS are being investigated for war crimes in Syria brings to mind the shrewd observation, often attributed to George Orwell, that we only sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf.

Our special forces risk injury, death and, if captured, unspeakable torture fighting on our behalf against Islamist terrorists who recognise neither the Geneva conventions nor any moral restraint on their depraved misbehaviour.

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These terrorists do not wear any uniform nor badge of identification, unlike military personnel.

A picture taken in eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor shows explosions following shelling. PIC: DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty ImagesA picture taken in eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor shows explosions following shelling. PIC: DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A picture taken in eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor shows explosions following shelling. PIC: DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images

To expect our soldiers to treat them as if they were enemy soldiers is wrong both practically and morally. Indeed, it is insanity to treat this type of warfare as if it was some sort of international armed policing.

The duty of military lawyers, commanding officers and our government is to watch the backs of those who guard us while we sleep, not to prosecute them.

Related topics:SyriaYorkshire PostFife

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