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Australia’s top military official admitted Thursday that there was credible evidence that special forces “illegally killed” at least 39 Afghan civilians and non-combatants and apologized to the people of Afghanistan.
“To the people of Afghanistan, on behalf of the Australian Defense Forces, I sincerely and unconditionally apologize for any wrongdoing by Australian soldiers,” Gen. Angus Campbell said in a statement that came after an investigation into war crimes, which has been going on for years.
“Some patrols have broken the law, rules have been broken, stories have been made up, lies have been told and prisoners have been killed,” added the Australian army chief.
The 25 members of the Special Forces charged with misconduct in 23 cases left a “stain” on their regiment, the armed forces and Australia, he added, recommending prosecution for war crimes. Nineteen will be investigated.
“This shameful record includes alleged cases in which new patrolmen were forced to shoot an inmate to carry out their first murder, in a horrible practice,” said General Campbell.
The military also announced the revocation of some medals awarded to special operations forces that served in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, more than 26,000 Australian soldiers were sent to Afghanistan to fight alongside US and allied forces against the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other Islamic extremist groups.
Australian combat troops left the country in 2013, but since then a number of often brutal stories have emerged about the conduct of elite Special Forces units.
And since then, the Australian media has reported a series of very serious allegations against Australian forces, such as the case of a man allegedly killed to make room in a helicopter, or the case of a six-year-old boy killed during a raid in a house.
