The resignations have affected at least two squadrons, D and G, with several senior warrant officers among those departing, according to major media reports. A significant number of soldiers decided to leave around Christmas as a matter of principle rather than for personal reasons, the reports indicate. The resignations are fueled by anger over legal investigations into operations in Afghanistan and Syria, which veterans regard as targeted persecution, according to major media.
The pursuit of elderly soldiers who served in Northern Ireland has compounded the sense of grievance. Last month, it emerged that 242 special forces troops, including 120 serving personnel, were being pursued by lawyers as part of inquiries costing £1 million a month, according to major media. The exact number of soldiers who have resigned from the SAS has not been confirmed, and the specific legal cases or investigations causing the resignations remain unclear.
There is no official response yet from the UK Ministry of Defence or government regarding these resignations, and the impact on current SAS operations and capabilities is unknown. It is also uncertain whether any ongoing efforts exist to address the soldiers' grievances and prevent further resignations.