Australian Defence Minister Strips Medals from 15 Soldiers Over Brereton Inquiry Findings

Sep 12, 2024, 12:44 AM

Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced that up to 15 current or former Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers will have their medals stripped following findings from the Brereton war crimes inquiry. The inquiry uncovered evidence of 23 incidents of alleged unlawful killing of 39 Afghan civilians by Australian Special Forces. Marles described the situation as a 'matter of national shame' and emphasized that the decision affects commanding officers who held senior roles during the Afghanistan war. The move is part of the ongoing fallout from a 2020 report into alleged war crimes committed by the ADF in Afghanistan. Up to nine commanders will lose their distinguished service medals.