Australian Defense Force Commander Angus Campbell said the United States warned him in 2021 that reports of the killing of prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan by Australian Special Forces soldiers could trigger a law that prevents his country from receiving US aid.

Edited by| Hugh Gey

Australia  section -  CJ journalist

Sydney – June,1,2023

The United States is Australia's biggest security ally, and Campbell's comments for the first time publicly reveal a rift in defense relations.

In response to a question from Australian senator David Shoebridge from the Greens party, about how long the US Department of defense stopped communicating with Australian Special Forces, Campbell told a parliamentary committee: “there was a precautionary period in which we were reviewing our arrangements.

“There are no restrictions now on Australian Special Forces working with the United States,”Campbell said.

In 2020, a 4-year investigation concluded that Australian special forces may have killed 39 unarmed prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan. Australia has referred 19 soldiers for criminal prosecution as a result.

According to Reuters, Campbell told a parliamentary committee that he received a letter from the US military attache in Canberra in March 2021 outlining US concerns.

Campbell's response to the committee stated that "what Australia was doing" was a response to the report. He added that an Australian soldier had been redeployed as a result of”matters related to the Leahy act".

The "Leahy Act" prohibits the US government from using funding or auxiliary units of foreign security forces, if credible information is received about the commission of serious human rights violations. According to US government regulations, assistance can be resumed if effective steps are taken by a government to bring those responsible to justice.

Although current Defense Minister Richard Marles had not been briefed on the matter before, Campbell later said that the defense minister at the time was following developments from March 2021, until “reaching conclusions” in March 2022.

A spokeswoman for Marles said he had not been briefed on the matter. “As confirmed by the commander of the defense force, the advice was given to him in March 2021 and he researched it at that time,”she added in a statement.

Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan began in September 2001 and lasted until mid-June 2021, making it Australia's longest engagement in an armed conflict.

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