Shadow Warriors: Unveiling The Secrets Of Afghanistan's Special Forces

The Afghan National Army Special Operations Command was a special forces formation of the Afghan National Army, established in 2011. The ANA commandos comprised only 7% of the Afghan defence and security forces, but they may have fought in 70-80% of the fighting during the War in Afghanistan.

The commandos were trained by the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and were fully equipped with U.S. equipment. They received specialized light infantry training with the capability to conduct raids, direct action, and reconnaissance. They also provided a centrally-held rapid reaction force for the Afghan government.

The commandos were regarded as one of the best units in the region and were known for their tenacity during the 2021 Taliban offensive. Unfortunately, after the fall of Kabul and the collapse of the ANA in August 2021, the Commando Corps was dissolved, and many commandos were targeted and executed by the Taliban.

There have also been reports of Afghan special forces being abandoned by their British allies and subsequently tortured, murdered, or forced into hiding by the Taliban.

The structure and training of the Afghan National Army Commando Corps

The Afghan National Army Commando Corps (ANA Commando Corps) was a highly trained commando force that was part of the Afghan National Army (ANA). The unit was modelled after the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment and played a central role in the ANA's operations.

Structure

The ANA Commando Corps was established in 2007 and was initially formed from existing infantry battalions of the ANA. The program aimed to take one conventional infantry battalion from each of the regional ANA corps, provide them with specialised training and equipment, and reorganise them based on the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. Each battalion was then assigned to one of the six regional corps.

The unit recruited from various ANA units all over Afghanistan, taking in prospective Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Turkmen to prevent forms of tribal allegiance and bias.

By 2012, the reported strength of the ANA Commandos was 8,500 men organised into eight battalions (kandaks) and one group of 500 Special Operations troops. In 2017, the strength of the ANA Commandos was reported to be 21,000, with a goal to increase this number to 30,000.

Training

The training of the ANA Commando Corps was conducted at the Morehead Commando Training Center (also known as Rish Khor camp), a longtime former Afghan Army installation located ten kilometres (six miles) south of Kabul. The camp was reported to be in either Wardak Province or Kabul Province.

The training was conducted by mentors from the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, United States Special Operations Forces, French Special Forces, ANA cadre, and Military Professional Resources Inc. (MPRI). The training lasted 12 weeks and consisted of three concurrent training sections for the entire course:

• The primary section focused on the infantry line companies, with an emphasis on individual skills and small unit tactics.
• The Headquarters and Headquarters Company received specialised training in mortars, medical care, and communications to support the line companies.
• The third section focused on the Battalion staff, their core areas of responsibility, and their function as the Command and Control (C2).

Upon graduation, each Commando Battalion returned to its designated Corps area along with an embedded U.S. Army Special Forces A-Team. They then began an 18-week training cycle, consisting of six weeks each of train-up, missions, and recovery.

The ANA Commando Corps was disbanded in 2021 following the fall of Kabul and the collapse of the ANA and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The role of the US Army Special Forces in training the ANA

The Afghan National Army (ANA) formed its first commando battalion, known as the ANA Commando Battalion (ANACDO), in 2007. This unit was modelled after the U.S. Army Rangers and was designed to improve the country's security and combat terrorism and insurgency. The basic training for ANACDO lasted three months and included advanced tactical skills, infantry training, and combat first aid and tactical management under fire, all at a level comparable to international standards. The training was conducted at the Morehead Commando Training Center (Rish Khor camp), a longtime former Afghan Army installation located ten kilometres (six miles) south of Kabul. The unit recruited from various ANA units all over Afghanistan, taking in prospective Pashtuns, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and Turkmen to prevent forms of tribal allegiance and bias.

The ANA Commando project was initially supervised by the U.S. military, with American instructors (mostly from the U.S. Army Special Forces, or Green Berets) providing joint training. The American mission was primarily focused on training and equipping the ANA Commandos, so they took on complete responsibility for education and training management. The ANA Commandos are open to accepting anyone into their ranks, including women, who can undergo the rigorous selection and training process. The overall goal of the ANA Commando program is to provide Afghanistan with a specialized force capable of conducting complex and high-risk operations in a variety of environments.

The U.S. Army Special Forces, colloquially known as the "Green Berets", is the special operations branch of the U.S. Army. The primary mission of the Army Special Forces is to train and lead unconventional warfare (UW) forces, or a clandestine guerrilla force in an occupied nation. The Special Forces personnel qualify in both advanced military skills and the regional languages and cultures of defined parts of the world. The Special Forces have a longstanding and close relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency, with joint operations dating back to the Vietnam War and seen as recently as the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021).

The ANA Commandos gained valuable experience by participating in numerous operations and missions alongside ISAF and American partner forces. In 2011, the Afghanistan National Army decided to establish the ANA Special Operations Command (ANASOC). The creation of ANASOC was seen as a major advantage for overall security and the fight against insurgents and terrorists, especially in mountain warfare and domestic operations. It is considered a crucial component of the overall force structure and strategy for transitioning to Afghan security lead.

The Taliban's treatment of captured commandos

The killing of these commandos stands in stark contrast to the Taliban's efforts to portray itself as accepting the surrender of soldiers. In some instances, the Taliban has even been paying soldiers to go home as it makes territorial gains. The Taliban's treatment of captured commandos has been condemned as a war crime by human rights organizations and the Afghan government.

In another incident, a Reuters photographer embedded with a commando unit was killed as they sought to recapture Spin Boldak, a border crossing with Pakistan, from Taliban insurgents. The photographer, Danish Siddiqui, was a Pulitzer Prize-winner and was killed in what was described as Taliban crossfire.

The Taliban has also been known to take captured commandos prisoner. In one instance, a Taliban spokesperson claimed they were holding 24 commandos captured in Faryab province, while the Afghan Ministry of Defense denied this and stated that the commandos had been killed.

The treatment of captured commandos by the Taliban has been a source of concern and outrage, with many criticizing the group for its brutality and disregard for human life. The Taliban's advances and control of territory in Afghanistan have led to fear among thousands of families, causing them to flee their homes.

The UK's abandonment of Afghan special forces units

The UK has been accused of abandoning Afghan special forces units, leaving them to face torture and death at the hands of the Taliban. The units in question are the Commando Force 333 (CF333) and Afghan Territorial Force 444 (ATF444), known collectively as the "Triples". These units were set up, trained, funded, and paid by the British, and their members worked closely alongside UK Special Forces (UKSF) in the fight against the Taliban.

Despite this, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the UK denied relocation to Britain for many members of these units, leaving them at risk of reprisals. A six-month-long investigation by The Independent, Lighthouse Reports, and Sky News found that dozens of former commandos have been beaten, tortured, or killed by the Taliban since the Western withdrawal. In some cases, no consideration was given to official certificates and ID cards showing the closeness of these individuals to UK special forces, and references from British colleagues and evidence of UK payslips were ignored.

The UK's failure to help these Afghans is thought to be in breach of its own Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap), which was designed to relocate eligible Afghans who served with the British. It also goes against a pledge made by former prime minister Boris Johnson, who said the UK would do "whatever we can" to ensure that Triples members left behind in Afghanistan "get the safe passage they need".

The UK government has since announced a review of the rejected applications, with defence minister James Heappey admitting that some decisions were "not robust". If the review is successful, the special forces soldiers will be allowed to bring their families with them to the UK, meaning hundreds of people in fear of their lives could be given sanctuary. However, the integrity of the MoD's decision-making has been called into question, and there are concerns about the department's desire to maintain a "case-by-case" review.

The role of special forces in the War in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan was a conflict that lasted from October 2001 to August 2021. Special forces from various countries played a significant role in this war, and their involvement was crucial to the overall efforts. Here is an overview of their role:

United States Special Forces

The US Army's Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets, were among the first American ground forces to enter Afghanistan in October 2001. They worked closely with local warlords and resistance fighters, collectively known as the Northern Alliance, to overthrow the Taliban regime. The Green Berets provided training, supplies, and coordination to the Northern Alliance, helping them to liberate the country in a matter of weeks. They also played a crucial role in calling in airstrikes and coordinating with air support to target Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces effectively. The Green Berets' ability to adapt and their close collaboration with local forces were key to their success.

Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC)

The Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC) was established in 2011 as a special forces formation within the Afghan National Army. The ANA commandos, comprising only 7% of the Afghan defence forces, conducted 70-80% of the fighting during the War in Afghanistan. They received extensive training from US Army Special Forces ("Green Berets") and were equipped with US gear. The training focused on light infantry tactics, including raids, direct action, and reconnaissance. The ANA commandos also served as a rapid reaction force for the Afghan government.

The creation of ANASOC involved establishing a full command to control the ANA Commando Brigade and the ANA Special Forces. By 2012, ANASOC consisted of over 7,000 commandos and 600 special forces personnel. The commandos were highly regarded as one of the best units in the region and were often used to spearhead challenging fights.

UK Special Forces and the "Triples"

The UK played a significant role in training, funding, and working alongside two elite Afghan special forces units known as the "Triples": Commando Force 333 (CF333) and Afghan Territorial Force 444 (ATF444). These units were created to support the UK's counter-narcotics efforts and counterterrorism objectives in Afghanistan. The Triples worked closely with UK Special Forces, conducting joint missions and receiving training and mentorship. The relationship was described as a "symbiotic partnership," with UK forces living and working alongside their Afghan counterparts.

However, following the fall of Kabul in 2021, many members of the Triples were left behind and denied relocation to the UK, despite their close partnership with British forces. This has led to legal challenges and criticism of the UK government for failing to uphold its commitments to these Afghan special forces soldiers.

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