Several current and former Australian military commanders have been stripped of medals due to allegations of war crimes committed during the Afghanistan war, as announced by Defense Minister Richard Marles on Thursday. This decision follows the recommendations of Maj.
Kabul 24: Gen. Paul Brereton’s investigation into misconduct by Australian special forces between 2005 and 2016.
Serious Allegations Uncovered
The Brereton Report revealed that about 25 soldiers from the Special Air Service Regiment and Commando Regiment were involved in the unlawful killings of 39 Afghans. Marles described these allegations as potentially the most serious accusations of Australian war crimes in history, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform within the military.
Response from Military and Political Leaders
In response to the medal revocation, Martin Hamilton-Smith, chair of the Australian Special Air Service Association, criticized the decision as a betrayal of the soldiers’ service.
He argued that the move undermines the leadership of those officers based on unproven allegations. Marles clarified that the removal of medals does not imply personal wrongdoing, stating that commanders share responsibility for their units’ actions, regardless of their direct involvement.
Calls for Broader Accountability
Opposition lawmaker Andrew Hastie, a former SAS captain, called for higher accountability among political leaders and senior military officials, arguing that systemic failures contributed to the alleged war crimes.
He stressed that while those directly involved in the misconduct should be held accountable, commanders also have a duty to scrutinize mission reports.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigations
No Australian veteran has yet been convicted of war crimes in Afghanistan, though whistleblower David McBride was sentenced for leaking information about the allegations. In 2023, former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz became the first veteran charged with a war crime, accused of killing a noncombatant in 2012. The ongoing scrutiny and investigations continue to raise questions about accountability within the military hierarchy and the broader implications for Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan.
