Parliamentary panel grills Australian defense chief for war crimes in Afghanistan

CANBERRA, Australia – The chief of the Australian Defense Force was questioned Tuesday by parliamentarians on the issue of stripping military honors from some soldiers.

The soldiers had served in Afghanistan and had been implicated in alleged war crimes.

In 2020, at least 39 Australian soldiers were accused of unlawfully killing Afghan civilians or prisoners.

One senator asked General Angus Campbell to “surrender” his own medal.

Last week, a U.S. media outlet reported that Campbell had warned of removing awards from some soldiers who held command positions in the Afghanistan war.

However, he told the House that he had sent recommendations to Defense Minister Richard Marles and that he could decide.

Sen. Malcolm Roberts Roberts called on the general to resign because the individuals who are to be stripped of their medals were under his command.

“When you (Campbell) were granted the award, it was awarded for ‘in action’ — that’s how the Distinguished Service Cross came about,” a news report quoted Senator Roberts.

Campbell was earlier posted as the commander of the Australian forces in the Middle East.

“I would put it to you that this is demoralizing, and that it would be an honorable thing to do in charge of the Australian Defense Forces to actually surrender your medal,” Roberts added.

 A report commissioned by Australian Defense Force Inspector-General Paul Brereton found “credible information” about the killing of civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

According to the report, Campbell offered an apology to the Afghans.

According to estimates from the U.N., at least 100,000 Afghan civilians died after former U.S. President George W. Bush authorized the offensive in Afghanistan in October 2001.