Hundreds of Afghan special forces troops who risked their lives fighting alongside British soldiers against the Taliban but are now facing a ‘death sentence’ in their homeland could soon be allowed to settle in the UK.
Thousands of veterans from the ‘Triples’, two elite units who carried out some of the most daring raids during the conflict, applied for asylum in the UK after the fall of Kabul in 2021.
But many have been forced to go into hiding in Afghanistan or flee to Pakistan after their bids for refuge were turned down by British authorities, who claimed there was no evidence of their service with UK forces.
Now, fresh hope has been given to 500 Afghan heroes after new details revealed payments from the Government to some rejected applications – with a quarter of cases previously thrown out having been reversed.
The news has been welcomed by British special forces veterans and is a crucial victory in the Mail’s seven-year Betrayal of the Brave campaign, which demands all Afghans who risked their lives beside UK forces are granted sanctuary in Britain.
Some 500 Afghan special forces could soon be allowed to resettle in Britain after having previously been denied asylum, the government has said (file photo of Afghan troops in Kabul)
Hundreds of Afghan soldiers who served with British forces have been forced to go into hiding amid fears they’ll be executed by the Taliban (Afghan special forces are pictured in May 2021)
Labour defence minister Luke Pollard revealed the u-turn during a debate in Parliament on Monday, saying: ‘Officials have now confirmed that there is evidence of payments from the UK Government to members of Afghan specialist units… and that for some individuals, this demonstrates a direct employment relationship.’
He added: ‘The review is still progressing and each application is considered on its own merits.
‘But on the information available at the moment, we are expecting an overturn rate of approximately 25 per cent.’
Famed SAS veteran Chris Ryan said many Afghan special forces heroes were now on a Taliban ‘hit list’ and ‘facing a death sentence’ in their home country.
Welcoming the UK government’s move, the military hardman told MailOnline: ‘It’s a good move. If we ever end up in another situation like that, local forces will think twice about taking protection from the UK as they were let down.
‘The fact that these guys lost colleagues and some were very badly injured and are now on a hit list, it’s only right we take them in and give them sanctuary.’
He added: ‘There would have probably been countless British soldiers saved through Afghan special forces and interpreters. It’s only right we look after them and bring them back. They’re facing a death sentence over there it’s morally not right to abandon them.’
Former SAS Staff Sergeant Phil Campion, 55, also welcomed the news but insisted more still needed to be done to guarantee all those who fought for Britain an ‘umbrella of protection’ to live here.
Famed SAS veteran Chris Ryan (pictured) said many Afghan special forces heroes were now on a Taliban ‘hit list’ and ‘facing a death sentence’ in their home country.
Ex-SAS Staff Sergeant Phil Campion, 55, also welcomed the news but said more still needed to be done to guarantee all those who fought for Britain an ‘umbrella of protection’ to live here
‘If someone is in danger and they helped us out then surely we need to help them?’ the special forces legend told MailOnline. ‘These are not refugees turning up on a boat, they genuinely fought alongside us.
‘Anyone who has risked their life for Britain deserves the umbrella of protection to live over here.’
The two units dubbed the ‘Triples’ were Afghan Commando Force 333 and Afghan Territorial Force 444. They quickly gained a fearsome reputation for their courage effectiveness and honesty.
Supported by the UK, the ‘Triples’ were the tip of the spear in some of the most dangerous missions carried out in Afghanistan.
Luke Pollard, a junior defence minister, revealed the news in parliament on Monday
In August 2021, when the Taliban regained control, CF333 remained in the capital of Kabul, defending British passport holders in the Baron Hotel as they sought to escape.
Millions of Afghans, including those who have served alongside the British, fled to Pakistan after the Taliban recaptured the country three years ago.
However, hundreds of thousands were then told to leave Pakistan after its government clamped down on foreigners in the country without papers, with many veterans facing the threat of execution if they returned to Taliban-controlled Afghan.
The plight sparked years of debate in Parliament over whether Britain should give Triples’ veterans safe haven.
The former Conservative administration revealed in February that some 2,000 applications were being reassessed.
The length of time it has took sparked fierce criticism from the British military community, with SAS veteran Campion telling MailOnline: ‘It’s not good. It highlights more frailties inside the powers that be, that they can’t make this happen.
Afghan Special forces patrol a deserted street during fighting with Taliban fighters, in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, on August 3, 2021
Many Afghan special forces are now thought to be on a Taliban ‘hit list’, SAS veteran Chris Ryan, feared (pictured: Taliban fighters stand guard in Kabul, Afghanistan in December 2022)
‘This sort of stuff should have been thought about a long time ago. Not now.
‘As far as I’m concerned, anyone who takes up arms for this country should be looked after by this country. Anyone. That includes people who aren’t Afghans.’
Campion added: ‘It goes without saying I support the Mail’s campaign.’
Mr Pollard said the time it had taken to review the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme was a ‘source of deep regret and concern’.
‘Many members will have concerns of the welfare of former Triples who might be Arap-eligible and still remain at risk,’ he added.
‘Despite sharing their deep frustrations, I hope it is of some comfort to colleagues across the house that if a decision is overturned as part of this review, applicants are informed immediately, and the relocation process can then start.
‘I have already begun signing eligible decisions to relocate eligible former Triples to the UK.’
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