ICC shuts door on Afghanistan war crimes probe into US troops

Judges at the International Criminal Court have formally closed part of the prosecutor's long-running investigation into alleged atrocities in Afghanistan, specifically ending the line of inquiry into actions by U.S. military personnel. The probe into alleged crimes by U.S. troops had been dormant since 2021. The decision also formally closes a separate investigation into the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) militia, leaving only the investigation into Taliban actions since 2021 active.

The decision simplifies the court's focus to exclusively investigate the Taliban, allowing arrest warrants for four Taliban leaders to remain in effect. It represents a significant step in a prolonged legal and political battle between the ICC and the United States, which has opposed the court's jurisdiction over American nationals. While it may reduce immediate diplomatic friction, the court's foundational statute still permits prosecution of crimes on member states' territory, meaning the underlying jurisdictional issue remains unresolved.