Australian ‘war crimes’: Troops to be fired over Afghan killings

27 November 2020

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has sent notices of likely dismissal to 13 special forces soldiers following last week’s damning report on the murder of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.

They are suspected of being accessories or witnesses to the killings, or of being dishonest in testifying.

They are separate from the 19 Special Air Service troops who could face prosecution for the murders.

Australia’s prime minister and top military commander have apologised.

Afghanistan called the murders unforgiveable but welcomed last week’s report as a step towards justice.

ADF Lieutenant General Rick Burr said the 13 soldiers had two weeks to respond to the notices.

“At this point in time no individuals have been separated from the Australian Defence Force,” he told reporters on Friday.

Two soldiers have been sacked already, according to Nine Entertainment newspapers. They are reported to have been witnesses to the killing of an Afghan man in a field, a case that was the subject of a TV investigation.

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