Stock picture of SAS soldiers

Five SAS soldiers have been cleared of murdering a suspected jihadist in Syria.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the case has been closed.

The soldiers faced a court martial over the allegations.

They had been accused of using “excessive force” on the battlefield in Syria.

The Daily Mail reports the SAS had set up a cordon around a building where a “confirmed jihadist” was holed up.

He had earlier been caught on video appearing to wear a suicide vest while vowing to “blow up infidels”.

Several suspects managed to breach the cordon in the darkness of the night and fled.

The SAS gave chase.

After catching up with the suspects the troops shot a man dead.

They believed he was a danger to their lives.

The Royal Military Police (RMP) investigated the SAS soldiers.

Files were sent to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) – the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service.

SPA spent 18 months reviewing the case.

A friend told the Daily Mail:

“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 is beyond everyone.

“They were put through the wringer so that generals and officials 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.”

An MoD spokesman 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.”