Five SAS soldiers facing murder charges over the death of a known Islamic terrorist in Syria have had their names cleared, the Mail can reveal.
After a two-year legal nightmare, the elite troops have been told they will not face a court martial.
In a case that provoked fury within the regiment, the ‘Blades’ as SAS soldiers are known, were accused of using excessive force on the battlefield three years ago.
They had pursued the jihadist at night in a rural area after watching a video of him in which he vowed to ‘blow up infidels’.
In the footage he was seen wearing a suicide vest, which was found near where he was shot dead in pitch darkness. For security reasons, the location and date of the operation cannot be disclosed.
Given the circumstances, the troops were shocked to learn later that they were being investigated by the Royal Military Police (RMP).
One told colleagues he felt like a ‘tethered goat’ as RMPs, top brass and lawyers used the incident as a test case.
A friend said: ‘It takes some believing but the guys have been staring down the barrel of murder trials for shooting a confirmed jihadist in a live battlefield situation.
‘How on earth anyone could accuse them of using excessive force in that situation was beyond everyone.
‘These guys were put through the wringer so the generals, the Defence Serious Crime Unit and the Service Prosecuting Authority could prove how rigorously they can pursue a prosecution.
‘That’s fine and dandy for them, but for the soldiers who risked their lives that night to be accused – and to wait so long for justice – that was appalling.’
SAS ground troops in Syria
UK Special forces have been undertaking secret operations in Syria for several years
The RMP investigation coincided with a High Court inquiry into allegations of SAS war crimes in Afghanistan.
With the judge in that inquiry expected to publish a damning report later this year, there was a rigorous investigation of the Syria case.
Files were sent to prosecutors recommending murder charges against the five soldiers. The Service Prosecuting Authority – the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service – then spent 18 months reviewing the case before finally agreeing to clear the soldiers.
The saga led rank and file SAS soldiers to accuse their chain of command of ‘putting their careers before protecting their soldiers’.
The five SAS soldiers involved were part of a cordon around a jihadist compound when the shooting took place.
Suspects escaped and the five broke from the cordon and gave chase. They caught the likely suicide bombers, one of whom was seen hiding in a bush.
They opened fire in the darkness because they believed the jihadist posed an immediate threat to their lives.
But a search of his body confirmed he was not wearing his suicide belt, which was later found in the compound he had bolted from.
Today, the Ministry of Defence said: ‘Our personnel are respected worldwide and make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation. It’s right that we hold them to the highest standards and action is taken where anyone fails to meet them.
‘Following thorough investigations and assessments, we can confirm that no charges have been brought forward in these cases.’
Tory armed forces spokesman Mark Francois said: ‘It is imperative we continue to recognise the outstanding contribution of our Special Forces to UK security and the incredible risks they take. This case highlighted the dangers they face and the difficult split-second decisions they are forced to make against ruthless enemies.’
