An investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has uncovered photos showing Australian soldiers displaying a Nazi swastika flag over their jeep during an operation in Afghanistan in 2007.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull condemned the incident, calling it "absolutely wrong." He confirmed that the flag was promptly removed, and the personnel involved were disciplined by their commanders at the time.

Australia's Defence Department released a statement denouncing the flag and what it represents, stating that it "rejects as abhorrent everything this flag symbolizes." Defence Minister Marise Payne echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that such actions are "completely unacceptable" and are not in line with the values of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

According to a defence source, the incident was described as a "twisted joke" rather than an expression of support for neo-Nazi ideologies.

This revelation comes amid other reports of Australian troops allegedly mistreating and executing prisoners between 2009 and 2012, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. The Defence Department has confirmed that these allegations are being investigated.

Australia participated in the US-led operations against the Taliban and Islamist militants in Afghanistan for 17 years, ranking as the third-largest source of special forces after the US and Britain. Combat troops were withdrawn in 2013.