SAS soldier vows to battle claims of killing harmless civilians in Afghanistan
A SAS soldier has vowed to battle claims that he and colleagues killed harmless civilians in Afghanistan.
“This is not what we do – we do not kill women and children,” the 33-year-old stated final night time, including, “and we won’t be railroaded”.
His feedback in regards to the “unjust” claims observe a choice by Australia’s prime common to strip seven of his nation’s SAS officers of medals following unsubstantiated warfare crime claims.
General Angus Campbell’s suggestion will see the seven officers stripped of their Distinguished Service Cross medals if supported by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles.
It holds putting parallels to the destiny awaiting British Special Forces troopers following unsubstantiated claims in a BBC Panorama documentary which stated it had uncovered proof pointing to the alleged killing of 33 civilians throughout 11 night time raids over a three-month interval in 2011.
Last December, the Ministry of Defence introduced it might examine allegations of wrongdoing throughout 2010 to 2013.
The Australian claims revolve across the alleged “execution” of Taliban suspects on kill-or-capture lists.
Of greater than 140 Australian SAS troopers who served in Afghanistan, just one man, Oliver Schulz, 41, has been arrested and charged with warfare crimes. He was given bail in March this yr.
Last night time the top of Australia’s Special Air Service Association stated Britain could be “foolish” to observe Australia’s instance, including the “entire process has been bungled by the Chief of the Defence Force from the very beginning”.
He stated journalists and lecturers interviewed troopers as a substitute of “security qualified historians”, that means info obtained out “which is not completely informed”.
“And General Campbell then revealed a report, attributing eachfactor in it as true regardless of the accused not having been interviewed.”
“The irony is that Gen Campbell was the senior Australian commander in Afghanistan when these alleged crimes took place.”
Speaking last night, one former British SAS soldier, who is a target of the inquiry, remained defiant.
He said: “The SAS do not kill innocent members of the public. I am confident these allegations will be proved false.”
He added that “comrades” in Australia are being “publicly humiliated without any guilt being established”.
The former soldier said: “This is very worrying.”