In a significant move to address past wrongdoings, Australia has decided to strip medals from commanders of units involved in alleged war crimes during the Afghanistan war. Defence Minister Richard Marles announced that this action, targeting specific commanders who led units between 2005 and 2016, is necessary to “address the wrongs of the past.”
The decision follows a damning report by an official inquiry which revealed that Australian elite special forces “unlawfully killed” 39 civilians and prisoners during their 11-year deployment in Afghanistan. The report, which found evidence of summary executions and initiation rituals, highlighted a concerning “sub-culture of elitism and deviation from acceptable standards” within these units. This prompted the government to take serious action, including recommending that 19 individuals be referred to the Australian Federal Police.
The report also suggested compensation for the families of victims and a wide range of military reforms. While the commanders affected by the medal revocation may not have been directly aware of all war crimes committed by their units, they are expected to have been aware of the overall situation. The inquiry found that there was a responsibility on their part to maintain proper conduct and standards within their units.
Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict began after the September 11, 2001 attacks, with over 26,000 Australian personnel deployed to fight alongside US and allied forces against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other Islamist groups. While Australian combat troops officially left Afghanistan in late 2013, accounts of the conduct of elite special forces units have continued to emerge, shedding light on the darker side of the conflict.
