Aussie Soldiers Charged in Afghan Kids' Deaths

Three former Aussie commandos have been charged for their role in a late-night raid that killed five Afghan children. The soldiers, who have not been identified, face a slew of charges including manslaughter and dangerous conduct, a military rep tells the AP. The charges stem from a February 2009 attack on a compound that was believed to harbor Taliban insurgents.

Two of the accused publicly denied the charges in a statement published by the Sydney Morning Herald. "We believe that when all the facts of this incident are made known to the public, it will be clear to everyone that we made the correct decision under truly awful circumstances," write "Soldier A and Soldier B." They also noted that the victims were "people we were risking our lives to protect." Click here to read more about civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
(More Afghanistan war stories.)