Australian special forces work with Iraqi security group accused of killing prisoners, torture

Australian Special Forces in Iraq are working with an elite Iraqi security force accused of  killing prisoners and other human rights violations.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed that the 200-strong Australian Special Operations Task Group in Iraq has begun providing "training and assistance" for the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) in its battle against Islamic State.

Military experts regard the service as the most capable and resilient element of the Iraqi security forces. However, former Australian defence intelligence officers say the service has "unquestionably been responsible for major war crimes and unnecessary civilian casualties"...

...In March 2014, Reuters reported that a senior general in Baghdad acknowledged that CTS units had executed prisoners...

...posted pictures on social media accounts, saying "after we kill them, then we plant the weapon by his side". ..

...The CTS came under control of the prime minister during the administration of Mr Maliki, who was widely criticised for his strongly sectarian Shiite rule...

...In 2011, Human Rights Watch reported that CTS held detainees in secret jails, torturing and committing other abuses against them. According to Human Rights Watch Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson, alleged abuses included beatings, applying electric shocks, repeated partial asphyxiation with plastic bags and suspension by the ankles...

...In November 2012, US President Barack Obama transferred responsibility for supporting the CTS from the US Defence Department to the Central Intelligence Agency, which has been recently recruiting civilian "security assistance mentors and advisors" to work with the Iraqi service.

"...it was at the expense of the rule of law, and of building the rest of the Iraqi security forces..." a former Australian Defence intelligence analyst told Fairfax Media.

www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-special-forces-work...