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13 Australia Soldiers Face Dismissal Over Afghan Killings

Australia has told 13 special forces soldiers they face dismissal in relation to a report on alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan, the head of the country’s army said on Friday as quoted in a report by Reuters. 

A report published last week found that at least 39 unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners were killed by 19 Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

According to Reuters report, none of the 19 soldiers were identified in the report, which was written by a state judge appointed by the inspector-general of defense. The 19 current and former soldiers have been referred for possible prosecution.

Under mounting pressure, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, the head of the Australian army, said 13 current soldiers have been issued with notices that could eventually lead to their termination, Reuters reported. 

Reuters report says that Burr did not identify any of the 13 soldiers, but said they were not part of the 19 current and former soldiers who face possible criminal charges. He said the 13 soldiers that face dismissal have two weeks to respond to the notice.

“At this time, 13 individuals have been issued administrative action notices in relation to the Afghanistan inquiry,” Burr told reporters in Canberra as quoted by Reuters. “We are all committed to learning from the inquiry and emerging from this a stronger, more capable and effective army.”

The Afghan government in a statement on Nov. 21 said that sharing the findings by the Australian Defense Force’s inspector-general is an essential step to ensure transparency and assure that legal proceedings of the case are carried out.

The Afghan government said it hopes the commitments by the Australian side are fulfilled.

Australia sent troops to join US-led forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan after 2001.

13 Australia Soldiers Face Dismissal Over Afghan Killings

Thirteen Australian soldiers have been issued with notices that could eventually lead to their termination.

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Australia has told 13 special forces soldiers they face dismissal in relation to a report on alleged unlawful killings in Afghanistan, the head of the country’s army said on Friday as quoted in a report by Reuters. 

A report published last week found that at least 39 unarmed Afghan civilians and prisoners were killed by 19 Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

According to Reuters report, none of the 19 soldiers were identified in the report, which was written by a state judge appointed by the inspector-general of defense. The 19 current and former soldiers have been referred for possible prosecution.

Under mounting pressure, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, the head of the Australian army, said 13 current soldiers have been issued with notices that could eventually lead to their termination, Reuters reported. 

Reuters report says that Burr did not identify any of the 13 soldiers, but said they were not part of the 19 current and former soldiers who face possible criminal charges. He said the 13 soldiers that face dismissal have two weeks to respond to the notice.

“At this time, 13 individuals have been issued administrative action notices in relation to the Afghanistan inquiry,” Burr told reporters in Canberra as quoted by Reuters. “We are all committed to learning from the inquiry and emerging from this a stronger, more capable and effective army.”

The Afghan government in a statement on Nov. 21 said that sharing the findings by the Australian Defense Force’s inspector-general is an essential step to ensure transparency and assure that legal proceedings of the case are carried out.

The Afghan government said it hopes the commitments by the Australian side are fulfilled.

Australia sent troops to join US-led forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan after 2001.

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