Ben Roberts-Smith attends Canberra event honouring Australian troops who served in Afghanistan

Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, honored the troops who served in Afghanistan during a commemoration event marking the 25th anniversary of the country's involvement in the conflict. The event took place at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Sunday, where hundreds of veterans, family members, and dignitaries gathered to reflect on the sacrifices made by Australian forces.

In his speech, Albanese described the heroism of the troops as a fight for "who we are as a people." He recalled the events surrounding the start of Operation Slipper, stating:

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"In New York, fires were still burning at Ground Zero from the September 11 attacks a month earlier. The world felt upended."

He emphasized that Australia’s involvement was driven by the desire to support allies and protect freedoms that are fundamental to the nation’s identity.