Members of the UK’s Special Boat Service (SBS) are reportedly under investigation for their involvement in a special forces operation in Libya two years ago, according to information
obtained by the BBC.
The investigation, first reported by The Daily Mail, involves up to five SBS operatives linked to an incident during a high-speed car chase in which shots were fired. However, specific details regarding the event and the exact number of personnel being investigated have not been confirmed.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) maintains its longstanding policy of not commenting on special forces activities. Additionally, no official statements have been made regarding recent UK military operations in Libya.
It is understood that the investigation has been ongoing for several months, but no evidence has yet been forwarded to the Service Prosecution Authority (SPA), the military’s equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service. To date, no charges have been filed.
The SBS, a highly specialized unit primarily recruiting from the Royal Marines, is one of the two principal special forces units in the UK, alongside the SAS, which recruits predominantly from the Army.
In a statement, an MoD spokesperson said: “UK personnel are globally recognized for upholding the highest standards. Appropriate action, including dismissal, will be taken against those who fail to meet these standards.”
Historically, UK special forces were known to have operated in Libya during NATO’s 2011 air campaign targeting the regime of Col Muammar Gaddafi. This latest investigation suggests UK special forces have continued operations in Libya more recently.
This investigation comes in the wake of other serious allegations facing UK special forces. Just last week, it was revealed that nine members of UK special forces could potentially face prosecution for alleged war crimes in Syria. According to MoD data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by The Times, two separate cases are currently being reviewed by the SPA—one involving a single individual and another involving eight individuals.
The MoD has not provided specific details regarding these cases or whether they involve isolated or multiple incidents. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.