<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>328945</docID> <postdate>2024-09-12 10:12:47</postdate> <headline>Military leaders stripped of medals over Afghan claims</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-328946" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240911122731233896-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles are taking action over war crime allegations. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Dominic Giannini</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australian soldiers in the chain of command who oversaw units accused of war crimes in Afghanistan will be stripped of their medals.</strong></p> <p>Keeping the numbers purposefully vague, Defence Minister Richard Marles said fewer than 10 people lost medals and awards.</p> <p>He sent letters to fewer than 15 people advising them about his decision on whether their honours were stripped.</p> <p>The senior officers were referred to him by a former defence force chief.</p> <p>Mr Marles made the announcement during a speech detailing the government's response to a report into alleged war crimes by Australian special forces troops in Afghanistan.</p> <p>The Commonwealth had addressed the final recommendations within its remit, closing a significant chapter in Australia's military history, he told parliament on Thursday.</p> <p>"This will always be a matter of national shame," he said.</p> <p>"Service in our defence force has always been and always will be a deeply honourable calling - that we have held ourselves accountable in this moment allows Australia to continue to cherish this service, past and future."</p> <p>The investigation into Australian special forces found credible evidence of 39 murders of Afghan civilians and prisoners between 2005 and 2016.</p> <p>Investigator Paul Brereton recommended reviewing the awards and decorations of those in command positions in the Special Air Service Regiment between 2008 and 2012.</p> <p>Mr Marles used this recommendation to make his decision about command accountability.</p> <p>Appeal options are limited but can be assessed by a judicial review.</p> <p>Criminal investigations remain afoot and one man has been charged with murder.</p> <p>A compensation scheme has been set up for Afghan families of civilians killed or injured during Australian operations.</p> <p>Of 143 recommendations in the Brereton report, 139 have been addressed.</p> <p>The remaining four remain on hold pending investigations by a special investigator.</p> <p>The minister's response does not include stripping the Victoria Cross - Australia's highest military honour - from Ben Roberts-Smith.</p> <p>Mr Roberts-Smith was found by the Federal Court to have committed war crimes including murder during his time in Afghanistan.</p> <p>The war veteran maintains his innocence and has appealed the ruling, which flowed from a failed defamation case against Nine Entertainment</p> </body>