UK SAS Soldiers Investigated for 2022 Syria Shooting Incident
Five British SAS soldiers face a lengthy investigation following a deadly operation in Syria that resulted in two fatalities.
The soldiers were involved in a mission to capture an ISIS leader in July 2022.
An investigation into the shooting concluded without charges, but the case could be reopened.
The two deceased were reportedly teenagers, with links to ISIS.
In a controversial military operation in Syria, five British Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers were dispatched in July 2022 to apprehend a suspected ISIS cell leader. However, the mission took a tragic turn when the soldiers shot and killed two individuals during the operation, leading to a protracted investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The operation occurred on the night of July 3, 2022, in Al-Zer, eastern Syria, where ISIS militants were actively attacking Kurdish forces. The SAS team was part of Operation Shader, aimed at capturing a key figure known as Bravo One, who had been under surveillance for weeks. The intent was to take him alive for interrogation regarding ISIS's activities. However, the situation escalated when the soldiers encountered gunfire, prompting them to fire upon two individuals they believed posed a threat.
According to reports, the soldiers claimed they acted in self-defense, believing the two men were preparing to shoot at them. Despite their assertions, neither of the deceased was found to be armed. The investigation, which began shortly after the incident, initially cleared the soldiers of wrongdoing. However, as reports of civilian casualties surfaced, the Royal Military Police launched a criminal inquiry, leading to a lengthy legal process that lasted nearly three years.
The two individuals killed were identified as teenagers, with one being 17-year-old Muhammad Fateh Khalaf al-Daham and the other a 14-year-old known only as Abdullah. Both were reportedly linked to ISIS, although details surrounding their identities remain unclear. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the rules of engagement and the accountability of military personnel in conflict zones.
As of May 2025, military prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against the soldiers, although the case remains open for potential future developments. The soldiers, despite facing serious allegations, returned to operational duties shortly after the incident, participating in further missions against ISIS. The outcome of this investigation highlights the complexities and moral dilemmas faced by military forces in combat situations.
