Kabul-based French journalist Elsa Casanova (Diane Kruger) writes an article about warlord Zaief (Raz Degan) and names him "the butcher of Kabul".

Whilst resting with the locals, Marius (Alain Alivon) is shot dead by a sniper, who is then killed by the team's own marksman Elias (Raphaël Personnaz).

She refuses to return to Paris and is lifted out of her wheelchair by Admiral Guezennec (Tchéky Karyo) who carries her on his back to a helicopter.

While filming the action scenes, the actors were overseen and advised by French naval special forces according to the press folder available on the official site.

[7] Robert Abele of Los Angeles Times concluded that "It's not only Americans who can make leaden, video game-style exercises in dumb war action.

[...] Writer/producer/director Stephane Rybojad likes his Islamic fundamentalists childishly ruthless, his Afghani victims helpless and his first-person-shooter heroes full of spit, vinegar and martyr-laced bravado.

"[9] David Beckett of Film 365 judged that "As far as wartime action/adventure films go, Special Forces isn't a great movie, but I found it to be a remarkable cinematic achievement and one which is extremely involving"[10] Cinevue's Amy Wadsworth attested Forces spéciales to develop towards its end into "an engaging survival story of devotion and solidarity".