39 civilian killings took place on missions in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2013. The Chief of Defense deeply regrets.
Completely green soldiers were pressured to shoot prisoners to achieve their first killing. A ritual called ‘blooding’. After the killings, weapons were placed around the bodies to cover up the war crime.
These are just some of the details that have emerged in a more than 500-page, long-awaited report on the involvement of Australian soldiers in at least 39 killings of civilians and prisoners in Afghanistan. A report that is the result of a four-year study by the Australian Special Forces .
The investigation was launched in 2016 in the wake of accusations from local media about the killings of unarmed men and children. According to the Australian Chief of Defense, General Angus Campbell, it contains clear evidence that 25 Australian elite soldiers are behind the killings. 19 of them are still employed in the Australian Defense.
No one was killed in battle
The report describes how the 25 soldiers committed the killings during 23 ” incidents ” from 2009 to 2013 – either by pressing the trigger themselves or as accomplices. However, the team behind the report recommends that a total of 36 incidents be investigated by the police.
General Angus Campbell explained at a news conference Thursday that the evidence that the special forces had “taken the law into their own hands” was clear and that none of the killings had been committed during firefighting or shelling.
– There is also no evidence that the perpetrators acted in confusion or by mistake. And the suspected victims were unable to defend themselves, he said.
He also explained that the report noted how the “disturbed culture” was embraced and encouraged by some experienced and influential officers. He calls for the special forces in Afghanistan to be deprived of the medals of honor they were awarded between 2007 and 2013.
– The assassinations here are the most serious violations of military standards and values. That kind of illegal killing of prisoners and civilians is never acceptable.
‘On behalf of the Australian Defense: Sorry’
The conclusion of the report has long been feared.
Last week, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that the report would contain “harsh news for the Australian people”. Before it was released, he was also in contact with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
General Angus Campbell also told the press conference that he has been in contact with the Afghan army chief about the report’s conclusions. To the press conference , he sent an apology on behalf of the Australian defense:
– To the Afghan people; I give you my unreserved apology for the atrocities committed by Australian soldiers. That behavior has betrayed the trust you gave us.
He also approached the Australians, admitting that he could well understand why the content and details of the report damaged faith in the military.
But, he said:
– I would respectfully ask the Australians to maintain faith in the many others in the forces. I do.
Pilrådden culture in the special forces
– It can not get more serious.
This is the assessment of the report’s conclusions from Peter Viggo Jakobsen, associate professor at the Defense Academy.
– It is a matter of shooting people under completely controlled conditions and when they are tied up on the ground. It’s really bad.
The report describes a culture in the Australian Special Forces , which is the Arrowhead. A culture where people have covered each other up, removed evidence and made it very difficult to detect the killings.
That kind of thing is especially bad when it comes to special forces , Peter Viggo Jakobsen explains:
– These are some of the most well-trained soldiers you have. They go through a very fine-meshed net when selected. Once selected, they live under severe pressure and form small groups, so that they become very close-knit and form some strong cultures. Therefore, it is important that the superiors keep track of the fact that these cultures do not run away.
Over time, there have been several examples of military units with a rotten culture.
For example, in the 1990s, several soldiers from a Canadian unit of paratroopers who killed Somali civilians stole from them. The device has since been disbanded to bring the issue to life.
There have also been stories and evidence that US forces have tortured prisoners of war in Iraq. Therefore, it is – historically speaking – not surprising that the kind that is described in the report happens.
– But that it has had the scope in a country like Australia, which is usually known for being in control of things, it is still surprising, says the associate professor at the Defense Academy.
A blot on the story
Afghanistan’s Independent Human Rights Commission tells the BBC that they welcome the report, but that right now there is not enough evidence to secure prosecution of those involved. It will be investigated further by a special investigation in the near future. Should that be the case, it could take a long time before the perpetrators go to court – up to several years, according to the media Al-Jazeera . They also write that in the meantime work is being done to create a fund that can provide compensation to the families of the suspected victims .
Although the case is a “blemish on the history of Australia’s armed forces”, Peter Viggo Jakobsen does not believe it will have negative consequences for Australians in the long run.
“On the contrary, it may serve somewhere in their honor that Chief of Defense Angus Campbell presents himself in the way he has done, and that they have cracked down so hard on it,” he says.
Australia has had troops in Afghanistan since 2002 to support the US-led coalition against the Taliban terrorist movement. Australia still has about 1,500 troops stationed in Afghanistan.
Sources: Al-Jazeera and the BBC
