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Thursday, November 19, 2020
Australian elite soldiers are said to have killed at least 39 prisoners or civilians, according to the investigation report. They are accused of having a “self-centered warrior culture.” The head of the army is now addressing the Afghan people.
According to an investigative report, Australian soldiers have committed war crimes while serving in Afghanistan. 25 members of a special unit had “illegally” killed at least 39 prisoners or civilians, said the head of the Australian Defense Forces, Angus Campbell, now in Canberra when he published a report on the behavior of Australian soldiers in the war from Afghanistan.
A “shameful balance” of a “self-centered warrior culture” was revealed. The results indicated “more serious violations” of military conduct and professional values. For the report, the Inspector General of the Australian Armed Forces investigated indications of unlawful killings and violations of international martial law between 2005 and 2016 over four years. More than 330 witnesses were heard and investigations were opened in at least 55 cases.
The report describes a culture of “toxic competitive thinking” within the task force that has resulted in some soldiers shortening procedures, ignoring and deviating from the rules, Campbell said. None of these “unlawful killings” occurred “in the heat of the moment.” “Everyone who was spoken to during this investigation understood the international law of war and the rules of engagement under which they were deployed.”
Suspicious soldiers must be prosecuted
“On behalf of the Australian Armed Forces, I sincerely and unreservedly apologize to the Afghan people for any wrongdoing,” Campbell said. He came out in favor of prosecuting the alleged soldiers for war crimes.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last week that a special investigator would investigate alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan and bring those responsible to justice. He had prepared his countrymen for revelations that were difficult to deal with, not just for active soldiers and veterans.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Australia sent more than 26,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight alongside the US military against Islamist militias such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. In 2013, Australia withdrew its troops from the country. Since then, serious charges have been brought against elite Australian soldiers. Among other things, Australian troops were accused of killing a six-year-old boy in a house search.
