Australian Special Forces unlawfully killed at least 39 Afghan prisoners or civilians during the Afghan conflict. This is evident from a four-year investigation into alleged war crimes by the elite troops. So says Angus Campbell, the commander of the Australian army, who has offered his “sincere apologies” to the Afghan people.
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According to the general, the report exposes a “shameful story” of a “self-centered martial culture”.
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The investigative report further outlined a climate of “toxic competitiveness within the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS),” which, according to Campbell, led some troops to “cheat or ignore the rules.”
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Some 25 soldiers are said to have been involved in the murders of prisoners, farmers or other civilians. “The Inspector General has found credible information supporting 23 incidents in which 39 people were unlawfully killed by 25 military personnel, mostly from the Special Air Service Regiment,” Campbell said.
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Excuses
Campbell meanwhile offered his sincere apologies to the Afghan people on behalf of the Australian military. “To the people of Afghanistan, on behalf of the Australian military, I sincerely and without reservation apologize for crimes committed by Australian soldiers,” he said. Finally, the general recommended prosecution for war crimes.
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A week ago, Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed a special prosecutor to investigate alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. The Inspector General of the Australian Defense Forces has been investigating war crimes allegations by Australian forces in Afghanistan since 2016.
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An edited version of the report will be released to the public today.
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