Statement regarding attacks at Camp Qargha

On 11 October 2018 The Australian published an article entitled: “A load of Kabul: Pyne war claim rejected”. The Department of Defence can advise that the Minister’s comments on the security situation within areas of Afghanistan that our personnel are working were accurate. 

The Department of Defence can confirm there was a strike at Camp Qargha on 11 September and a strike in the vicinity of Camp Qargha on 19 September which the Minister was informed of as part of briefings on the security situation in theatre by Australian Defence Force personnel.  

In responding to an inquiry by The Australian on 9 October, the Department responded in terms of attacks on Camp Quargha and its immediate surrounds.  However, as noted by the Minister, there was an indirect fire attack on 19 September that was unsuccessful in targeting Camp Qargha and impacted in the Marshal Fahim National Defense University complex. As the indirect fire impacted approximately 1.4 kilometres from Australian personnel, the incident was not recognised as an attack on Camp Qargha in the Department’s initial reporting searches and response to The Australian. It is important to recognise that Camp Qargha refers to a small area that Coalition forces reside within the much larger Marshal Fahim National Defense University complex, which is within the again larger Qargha District.