Australia’s elite SAS soldiers ‘committed war crimes in Afghanistan’

Australia’s elite special forces have allegedly committed war crimes while fighting in Afghanistan, according to a secret report.

A confidential defence inquiry report seen by Fairfax Media shows members of the special forces reported ‘unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations’, which showed a ‘disregard for human life and dignity’.

Some of the testimony included in the report includes a pattern of elitism, cover-ups of serious offences and a culture of drug and alcohol abuse.

Australia’s elite special forces have allegedly committed war crimes while fighting in Afghanistan, according to a secret report (stock image)

A confidential defence inquiry report seen by Fairfax Media shows members of the special forces reported 'unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations' (stock image – persons shown are not involved with the allegations)

A confidential defence inquiry report seen by Fairfax Media shows members of the special forces reported ‘unsanctioned and illegal application of violence on operations’ (stock image – persons shown are not involved with the allegations)

A special forces interviewee said ‘horrendous’ and ‘disgraceful things happened in Kabul… very bad news, or just inappropriate behaviour, but it was pretty much kept under wraps’.

The report also describes the challenges the government faces in tackling conduct which involves ‘problems deeply embedded in the culture’ of the special forces.

It warns the country’s national security is at risk due to ‘major gaps in knowledge’ across the government regarding the culture of the Special Operations Command.

It also says there is a lack of coordination between the SAS and the Commandos.

The inquiry was commissioned by then Special Operations Commander Major General Jeff Sengelman in 2016.

Defence Minister Marise Payne has been briefed on the report. 

In a statement, the defence force said it takes all allegations about Australian forces seriously’. 

The inquiry was commissioned by then Special Operations Commander Major General Jeff Sengelman (pictured) in 2016

The inquiry was commissioned by then Special Operations Commander Major General Jeff Sengelman (pictured) in 2016

The report also describes the challenges the government faces in tackling conduct which involves 'problems deeply embedded in the culture' of the special forces (stock image – persons shown are not involved with the allegations)

The report also describes the challenges the government faces in tackling conduct which involves ‘problems deeply embedded in the culture’ of the special forces (stock image – persons shown are not involved with the allegations)

Special forces are available for overseas deployments as well as domestic counter-terrorism responses.

The inquiry was conducted by defence consultant Dr Samantha Crompvoets.

It contrasts the image of the special forces and SAS portrayed to the public with the reality which included ‘unverified accounts of extremely serious breaches of trust’.

‘Some of these related to policy, process and governance failure,’ according to the report, including loss of weapons, unacceptable safety practices and wasteful resource management.

Defence Minister Marise Payne (pictured) has been briefed on the report

Defence Minister Marise Payne (pictured) has been briefed on the report



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk