Australia's defence forces have sent notices of likely dismissal to 10 special forces soldiers following last week's damning report on the murder of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners.

They are suspected of being accessories or witnesses to the killings, or of being dishonest in testifying.

They are separate from the 19 Special Air Service troops who could face prosecution for the murders.

Australia's prime minister and top military commander have apologised.

Afghanistan called the murders unforgiveable but welcomed last week's report as a step towards justice.

ICC backs Afghan war crimes probe
Did UK Special Forces execute unarmed civilians?
Two more soldiers are reported to have been sacked already. They are reported by Australian media to have been witnesses to the killing of an Afghan man in a field, a case that was the subject of a TV investigation.

What did the report find?
The report blamed the murders of "prisoners, farmers or civilians" in 2009-13 on an unchecked "warrior culture" among some soldiers.

It said 25 special forces soldiers had taken part in unlawful killings directly or as "accessories", across 23 separate incidents. It recommended that 36 incidents in total be investigated by federal police.

Australian Defence Force chief Gen Angus Campbell said none of the incidents could be "described as being in the heat of battle".

It also found evidence that:

Junior soldiers were told to get their first kill by shooting prisoners, in a practice known as "blooding"
Weapons and other items were planted near Afghan bodies to cover up crimes
An additional two incidents could constitute a war crime of "cruel treatment"
What happens next?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said a special investigator would be appointed to consider prosecutions from information contained in the report.

But police investigations could take years, even before possible criminal trials.

Fighting for a future in a war without end
How much has the Afghanistan war cost the US?
The Afghan war: The short and long story
The government said it would also establish an independent oversight panel to provide "accountability and transparency that sits outside of the ADF chain of command".

Australia maintains an operation of around 400 soldiers in Afghanistan as part ongoing peacekeeping efforts with the US and other allies.

If you dont, they will start killing Australians like Nigerians and Nigeria Army and Police

Good move before they become adult dracula's

This is saner clime. Not in Nigeria where the army will wait to witness an #endsars protest and then shoot protesters and later deny the shootings. While the useless politicians will send their touts for counter protests in favour of the blood thirsty idiots. See where there is a government.

Here, soldier are gods

this is highly commendable from the Australian military, you will never see the the British and American army act in such a credible manner.