Defense Minister Richard Marles announced that several current and former Australian military commanders have had their medals stripped due to allegations of war crimes during the Afghanistan war.

This decision follows the Brereton war crimes inquiry, which implicated up to 10 senior officers who have now lost their distinguished service medals.

The announcement marks the conclusion of the government's response to the Brereton Report, which revealed serious misconduct during the Afghanistan campaign.

The Brereton Report, published in 2020, found credible evidence that approximately 25 Australian Special Air Service and Commando Regiment troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghans between 2005 and 2016.

Marles clarified that the medals were revoked not because of personal wrongdoing by the commanders, but due to their accountability for the actions of their units.

This decision has reignited debates over command responsibility for the alleged murders and mistreatment of Afghan civilians.

While Marles did not disclose the identities of the commanders involved, he emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, describing them as a matter of 'national shame.'

The unresolved issues of war crimes from the Afghanistan conflict must be addressed through the judicial system to ensure accountability.

Criticism has emerged from organizations like the RSL and Australian SAS Association, who argue that actions against commanders should wait until legal processes are complete.

Despite the controversy, Marles acknowledged the honorable service of the majority of Australian defense personnel while commending those who were truthful about the events in Afghanistan.

The Australian Federal Police's investigation into war crimes has faced challenges, particularly concerning admissible evidence related to high-profile cases.

Concerns about accountability for senior officers have been raised by oversight panels, contributing to low morale among special forces members.