SAS secretly hunted and killed two Iran-backed gang members who executed six Red Caps in Iraq, new book reveals

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026 · last updated 5 October 2026.

Britain's SAS tracked down and killed two members of the Iran-backed gang responsible for murdering six British military policemen in Al Majar Al Kabir in June 2003, a new book has claimed. John Miller, father of Corporal Simon Miller, who was just 21 when he died, said the revelation had been kept from grieving families for 23 years. Senior generals are said to have blocked further SAS operations, fearing Iranian-backed reprisals against British troops across Shia-majority southern Iraq.

John Miller said he was 'very pleased' two killers were dead, adding: 'The SAS catching these guys was our best chance of justice.'

The June 2003 murders were the single greatest loss of British military life to hostile action during the entire Iraq conflict.

Families have long accused the government of covering up the circumstances of the killings, with the book 'Blades' by Mark Nicol the first to disclose the SAS operations.