Guardian: The Australian Special Forces officers were aware of staging the scene next to the bodies of Afghan civilians

The Guardian newspaper reported that a number of Australian Special Forces (SAS) officers knew that weapons were being left next to the bodies of Afghan civilians to identify them as combatants, but did nothing to prevent this illegal act, according to a newly published military investigation.

The investigation, conducted in 2021, revealed serious weaknesses, leadership collapse, military discipline, and secrecy among Australian special forces in Afghanistan.

Prior to this investigation, Brereton had obtained credible evidence in 2020 about the killing of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners by Australian special forces.

Australian Defence Force Commander Mark Hammond has confirmed the findings of the new report, saying there were serious failings in the country’s special forces command structure.