Nine British special forces troops face possible prosecution over alleged war crimes in Syria

Nine UK special forces troops could be prosecuted over alleged war crimes in Syria, Ministry of Defence (MoD) figures show.

The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), is considering one case related to one individual and another involving eight.

The body, the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service, is also considering a case involving another member of the armed forces over their actions in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, the Daily Mail reported that five serving SAS soldiers were facing a murder investigation over the death of a suspected jihadist in Syria two years ago.

Special forces chiefs are said to have alleged that troops used excessive force and should have arrested the suspect, who was shot dead.

The soldiers were adamant he posed a threat and intended to carry out a suicide attack.

The Royal Military Police has been investigating whether the man’s shooting was a war crime.

Following the revelations, The Times submitted a Freedom of Information request to the MoD, which asked the department to disclose all cases being examined by the SPA in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pictured: SAS ground troops in Syria 

Fighters from the al-Qaida linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant marching in Raqqa, Syria

After initially refusing to reveal the information, it eventually agreed.

The MoD gave no further details on the alleged war crimes.

A case may relate to one or more incidents, it said.

In March, this newspaper reported that, according to Special Air Service sources, in the Syria case a primed suicide vest was found nearby but the suspect was not wearing it when killed.

The Mail was told soldiers were watching a suspect jihadi compound at night, when suspects allegedly ran from the property shortly before a planned raid.

One of the jihadists was then seen lying motionless behind a bush – either dead, wounded or simply attempting to hide.

SAS soldiers approached his position and he was shot several times at pointblank range. According to sources, additional rounds were fired because they feared he could detonate a suicide vest.

The case emerged as a High Court public inquiry continued into claims that SAS soldiers executed as many as 80 Taliban suspects in custody in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2013.

An MoD spokesman said: ‘Our UK personnel are respected worldwide for the highest standards and action will be taken against anyone that fails to meet these standards, including dismissal from service, where appropriate.

‘It would be inappropriate to comment further on ongoing investigations.’