Several retired and active-duty Australian military commanders have been stripped of medals over alleged war crimes committed during the War in Afghanistan. Defence Minister Richard Marles, in a speech given to the Australian parliament on September 12, 2024, referenced a report in handing down his decision, which stated 25 troops from both the Commando and Special Air Service (SAS) regiments had participated in the unlawful killings of 39 Afghani civilians and prisoners of war (POWs).
The alleged misconduct took place between 2005-16, with Maj. Gen. Paul Brereton conducting an investigation into the charges. Presenting his findings in the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force Afghanistan Inquiry Report, he shared that 25 Australian Special Forces members had participated in the killings of prisoners of war and civilians, after which their actions had been covered up by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Given his findings, Brereton made 143 recommendations, including that several troops be stripped of their decorations. He didn’t find evidence that Australia’s top military brass were aware of what had occurred, but stated that the killings were part of a long-standing culture that has seen recruits murder captives to prepare them for battlefield combat.
“The allegations which are the subject of the Brereton Report are arguably the most serious allegations of Australian war crimes in our history,” Marles said before parliament. While he didn’t name the soldiers, citing privacy issues, local media later claimed 10 or less have had their decorations removed.
Marles added there’s a possibility that the Office of the Special Investigator may prosecute certain SAS personnel, but explained that those inquiries would “take years to complete.”
The removal of the decorations was swiftly condemned by Australian SAS Association Chair Martin Hamilton-Smith, who said in a statement, “The government’s decision overlooks the courageous leadership of these young officers on the battlefield based on unproven allegations that somewhere in a remote village unseen and unknown to these commanders, an unlawful act might have occurred on their watch.”
Marles addressed this when speaking to the media, saying, “No one is … suggesting they knew what happened, were aware of it or didn’t act – that’s not the issue. The issue is that when you command a unit you will often receive the benefits and the accolades of what that unit does, irrespective of whether you’ve personally been right there in the front line and commensurately, you accept the responsibility of that unit in terms of what failings occur.”
He added, “Had we known what had occurred, would the medals have been granted?”
Marles has called the troops’ actions “a matter of national shame,” and says the Brereton Report is “a demonstration to the Australian people and the to the world, that Australia is a country which holds itself accountable.”
Prior to his address to Parliament, the defence minister sent letters to those whose medals will be stripped.
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Over 39,000 Australian troops served in the War in Afghanistan, beginning in 2001. Of that total, 41 lost their lives.