Thought I had to share this! This story from Melbourne Herald-Sun newspaper 28/1/08. These troops are credited as being amongst the best special forces in the world? There will always be collateral deaths, however hosting a Taliban "conference" does not fall into that category. Bloody hell, they are also killing too many "enemy" fighters. Give me a break!
...And the problem is what exactly!!!:mad111: Aggressive my arse! If the Taliban can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! it's a war zone FFS!!!:rant:
sound like crap shots if you ask me....notice "alegedly hosting " a taliban conference...like the frikkin Talib give anyone a choice.....nah,get a grip,stick up for the lads by all means but dont condone the murder of an entire family...remember,thats a short hop n a skip from condoning My lai etc.
Spidge Ref Austrailian SF I have it on good authority they they were credited with the first ground kill of Iraqi Freedom in 2003
Not a good day for the Australian SAS Regt today regarding their actions in Afghan. Plenty of news reports out there about their killings.
Quite a few journalists and news organisations were turned over by the authorities regarding reporting on the investigation last year for breaching 'National Security', it would be interesting to know who and why wanted to punish journalists. It was ABC and News Corp that were 'visited'. One case reported was a wounded farmer being tended by a medic was taken by another soldier and executed.
The BBC News channel broadcast General Angus Campbell's press conference live late last night/early hours of this morning but didn't stay with it (in their wisdom the BBC cut away to the weather forecast and did not return to the press conference!) Reporting here (link below) but no footage of the General speaking unfortunately. Australian 'war crimes': Elite troops killed Afghan civilians, report finds Kind regards, always, Jim.
More comprehensive reporting of what General Campbell said at the press conference here; Defence Connect Kind regards, always, Jim.
These issues have been "bubbling along" in Australia for a long time now, with allegations - some by insiders (at least one committed suicide), investigations, media coverage and political decisions. I have a number of the 2020 Australian news reports, I cannot vouch for their accuracy nor whether they are still on the web: Shocking video of an Australian soldier shooting dead an unarmed man https://www.theage.com.au/national/...diers-were-off-the-leash-20200320-p54cd4.html Australia's special forces problem: why the SAS is facing a crisis https://www.smh.com.au/national/the...n-war-crime-perpetrators-20201116-p56ezv.html This is not a UK-only website, this is the one I fear may rebound here: From: https://www.theage.com.au/national/...alia-s-abu-ghraib-moment-20201027-p5692v.html
The report referred to by General Campbell within his press conference is available as a pdf download within the page here (n.b. as stated by the General in the press conference, Part 2 of the report is not included as this is the section detailing the individual incidents and those involved and is not cleared for public release) Home | IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry Kind regards, always, Jim.
My last on this for now folks. Please find attached pdf, digital record of General Campbell's speech as delivered at the press conference (posted primarily for completeness and also as the BBC reportage, in their wisdom, talked over what the General was saying). I suggest you read the General's words first before digging into the report. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Difficult though it undoubtedly is, if we do not strive to operate within the legal frameworks of our democracies and ignore rules of engagement we become no better than the 'bad guys'.
In the fog of war the thought process is of a lawless time with no end or consequence. However times do get better and the fog clears.
Ben Macintyre would seem to sum it up well in this article: SAS bravery cannot be counted in kills | Comment | The Times ‘Nuff said on this methinks.
A sad story for anyone who cares about the Australian Army, but I admire the way they have faced up to the problem and been honest about it.