The Brereton report into alleged war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan has found credible evidence that Australian SAS soldiers were involved in the murder of 39 Afghan civilians.
The alleged incidents have been described as a 'disgraceful and a profound betrayal of the Australian defence force', and include evidence that junior soldiers were coerced to execute prisoners to achieve their first kill in a process known as 'blooding'.
Speaking at the release of the report, Australia's defence force chief, General Angus Campbell, describes the culture in the SAS and 2nd Commando regiment as toxically competitive, adding that it was 'a failure of unit and high command'