The Special Investigation Branch then launched an investigation into the SAS troops after reports in Syria claimed the young terrorists were civilians.
Investigators claimed the men had used “disproportionate force” because the teenagers had been “unarmed at the time of their deaths and could not have posed an imminent threat to life”.
The troops insisted they had been justified in exercising their right to self-defence and maintained their innocence throughout the investigation.
Wes Streeting is yet to hold talks with the soldiers or their legal representatives to discuss the probe.
Yet on Friday, the Defence Secretary penned a letter to the Defence Serious Crime Unit, asking it to “consider the concerns raised in the handling of the Service Police investigation”.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “Our personnel are respected worldwide for their professionalism and dedication, and they make extraordinary sacrifices in defence of the nation.
“They are also entitled to expect that any investigation is conducted fairly and professionally and rightly there are procedures in place for people to report concerns.”
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