At a pre-trial hearing in Sydney yesterday, Judge Advocate Brigadier Ian Westwood ruled the two army reservists did not have a duty of care to the civilians killed when Australian troops raided their compound in Oruzgan province in February 2009.
The two members of the elite 1st Commando Regiment, identified only as Sergeant J and Lance Corporal D, were charged after a months-long investigation into the incident, which resulted in the deaths of five children and one adult.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/afghan-death-charges-thrown-out-20110520-1ewup.html#ixzz1MuHvt7HA
Our troops must make every effort to avoid any civilian causalities.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, these soldiers threw a grenade into the court yard of a private house in the middle of the night. This act killed the children sleeping there.
This family needs to be properly compensated by the Australian government, and those responsible held responsible.
That said, lets not forget 75% of civilian casualties in this war are made by the Taliban. And they usually do it deliberately and maliciously.
You are right about the stats, Anon. But 1% never mind 25% at Nato's door is a screaming scandal. Their actions(night raids, drone attacks for example)fall into the category of 'malicious and deliberate'regularly and 'reckless' often.
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