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The fact that it was two Dutch F-16s that bombed a bomb factory in Hawija, Iraq, on the night of June 2 to 3 in 2015 was a twist of fate – and of a military computer program for simulating collateral damage.
According to the American plan, the IS complex would be attacked with five heavy bombs weighing 500 pounds.When the simulation came out on CDE-5 High (‘risk of civilian casualties’) the package was adjusted: only one five hundred pounder and four bombs of less weight (Small diameter Bombs). Besides the US, only the Netherlands had this type of ammunition and the American air force could not carry out the attack for logistical reasons.“The Americans were busy elsewhere,” said research leader Winnie Sorgdrager.
The House could also have been informed confidentially. That didn’t happen
It is one of the many details in the extensive inquiry by the Hawija Weapons Deployment Investigation Committee, which on Monday presented its conclusions into the fatal bombing in the Iraqi city north of Baghdad. The triumphant attack (all bombs hit the target) was followed by a huge secondary explosion of the stored explosive in the bomb factory. At least 85 civilians were killed and hundreds were injured.
The committee led by former Minister of Justice and minister of State Sorgdrager (D66) was established in 2020 after persistent revelations from the NOS and NRC. Four years later, the investigation makes a harsh judgment about the preparation of the fatal mission and about the provision of information to the House of Representatives. Dutch soldiers did not have enough intelligence to make a well-informed decision about the attack and relied “blindly” on the US.
GuessworkThe Dutch airstrike on the Iraqi city of Hawija in 2015 killed at least 85 Iraqis. Photo Robin Utrecht / ANP
Information
Although it was clear immediately after the attack that civilian casualties had probably occurred, the Defense leadership led by then minister Jeanine Hennis (VVD) took a “wait and see” attitude. Such as, an American investigation into the bombing was never requested in Washington.
Moreover, the House of Representatives was not informed about the incident. “We understand from those involved that rnrn data127271408″ data-open-in-lightbox=”” src=”https://images.nrc.nl/snb_NNq2P7X_beBgJGA5fDd7G3M=/1280x/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/u_ecsEGtNH0YsGQOKCLLMmFdwmE=/1920x/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/EIR6QQPHiWaWSr1ACpJ2Kzd9IYA=/5760x/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg” src-medium=”https://images.nrc.nl/JSkqdP9iQQRcG9K4z1IYWVPVbMo=/640x/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/snb_NNq2P7X_beBgJGA5fDd7G3M=/1280x/filters:no_upscale()/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg” src-medium-webp=”https://images.nrc.nl/aOStuXMaQMao8dXS46GVudpNXXI=/640x/filters:no_upscale():format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/fkXmejWkcJGIoJH9mYiPHqgemkE=/1280x/filters:no_upscale():format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg” src-webp=”https://images.nrc.nl/fkXmejWkcJGIoJH9mYiPHqgemkE=/1280x/filters:no_upscale():format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/KzAUj5y7qLiug-93BV8XFlBEiVY=/1920x/filters:no_upscale():format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg|https://images.nrc.nl/qsg9TQyFr0uOhu4x_UX8TPGzpsc=/5760x/filters:no_upscale():format(webp)/s3/static.nrc.nl/images/gn4/stripped/data127271408-14d0b0.jpg” bad-src=”data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7″/>
Information
Even though it was clear immediately after the attack that civilian casualties had probably occurred, the Defense leadership led by then minister Jeanine Hennis (VVD) took a “wait and see” attitude. Such as,an American investigation into the bombing was never requested in Washington.
Mass Murder and Lawsuits: A Deep dive into Key Military Incidents
The history of military operations is ofen marred by tragic events and legal battles. From the Srebrenica massacre to the Mortar incident in Mali, thes incidents have raised critical questions about accountability, clarity, and the role of armed forces in conflict zones. This article explores four pivotal cases that have shaped public perception and policy regarding military conduct.
Srebrenica: A Failure of Protection
On July 11, 1995, bosnian Serbs captured the Muslim enclave of Srebrenica, a town under United Nations protection. The approximately four hundred Dutch UN soldiers of Dutchbat offered no resistance. In the days that followed, Serbs murdered more than eight thousand Muslim men and boys, marking the largest mass murder in Europe since World War II.
Immediately after the fall, critical questions emerged: Should Dutchbat have done more? Why were local employees sent away from the base to thier deaths? And why did the development of photos documenting the atrocities fail in a defense photo lab?
In 1996, the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies was commissioned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fall of Srebrenica. Their detailed report,published in the spring of 2002,led to the resignation of the Kok II cabinet.
The Eric O.Case: A Turning point in Military Justice
On December 27, 2003, Dutch Marine Petty Officer Eric O. fired warning shots at a group of civilians during the Dutch mission in Iraq, fatally wounding a bystander.The Public Prosecution Service decided to prosecute O., a decision that angered many soldiers.
In October 2004,O. was acquitted by the military court in Arnhem.this case marked a significant shift in how soldiers involved in incidents with civilian casualties are treated—primarily as witnesses rather than suspects.
The Battle of Chora: Civilian Casualties and Compensation
In the summer of 2007, Taliban fighters attacked north of the Dutch base in tarin Kowt, in the Afghan province of Uruzgan. Heavy fighting ensued in the Chora Valley, with Dutch forces using artillery and F-16s dropping bombs. Dozens of civilians were killed.
While the Public Prosecution Service concluded that the Dutch were not to blame, a civil court ruled that the state must pay compensation to the surviving relatives. This case highlighted the complexities of military operations in civilian-populated areas.
mortar Incident in Mali: A Tragic Oversight
During an exercise in Mali, a mortar exploded prematurely in the firing tube, killing two soldiers and seriously injuring a third. The dutch Safety Board found in 2017 that the Bulgarian ammunition used was defective, had not been quality-checked by the defense department, and had been incorrectly stored in containers where temperatures rose far too high.
Key Takeaways
| Incident | Key Details | Outcome |
|————————–|———————————————————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Srebrenica | Mass murder of over 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serbs. | Resignation of the Kok II cabinet. |
| Eric O.case | Fatal shooting of a bystander during a Dutch mission in Iraq. | Acquittal of Eric O.; shift in treatment of soldiers. |
| Battle of Chora | Civilian casualties during Dutch military operations in Afghanistan. | State ordered to pay compensation to surviving relatives.|
| Mortar Incident Mali | Premature mortar explosion due to defective ammunition and improper storage. | Two soldiers killed, one injured; findings of negligence by Dutch Safety Board. |
Transparency and Accountability
The committee investigating these incidents emphasized the need for transparency and honesty, particularly regarding civilian casualties. As Sorgdrager,a key researcher,stated,“Of course you can’t always tell everything,we understand that. But you can tell more than what happened.”
These cases underscore the importance of rigorous oversight, clear communication, and accountability in military operations. As the armed forces continue to navigate complex conflict zones, lessons from these incidents remain crucial in shaping future policies and practices.
For more insights into military operations and their impact,read about the attack on Hawija, which caused more deaths and damage than initially expected.Defense Minister and Armed Forces Commander Resign Following Scathing Hawija Report
In a dramatic turn of events, Dutch Minister of Defense Jeanine Hennis (VVD) and Commander of the Armed Forces Tom Middendorp have resigned following the publication of the highly critical hawija report. The report,which scrutinized the actions of the Dutch military during a 2015 airstrike in Hawija,Iraq,delivered a harsh verdict,accusing the Defense Ministry of being “afwachtend,passief” (wait-and-see,passive) and lacking transparency.
The Hawija airstrike, which targeted an ISIS ammunition depot, resulted in significant civilian casualties, with estimates suggesting over 70 lives lost. The OVV report (Dutch Safety Board) highlighted systemic failures within the Defense Ministry, stating, “Je kunt méér vertellen dan dat er is gebeurd” (You can tell more than what has happened). This pointed critique underscored the ministry’s failure to adequately communicate and take obligation for the incident.
Minister Hennis,who had been under increasing pressure since the report’s release,acknowledged the findings in her resignation statement.“The conclusions of the report are clear and demand accountability,” she said. Similarly, Commander Middendorp emphasized the need for leadership to take responsibility, stating, “It is essential that we learn from this and ensure such mistakes are not repeated.”
The resignations have sparked a national conversation about the role of transparency and accountability within the Dutch military. Critics argue that the Defense Ministry’s afwachtend, passief approach not only hindered effective decision-making but also eroded public trust.
Key Takeaways from the Hawija Report
| Aspect | Findings |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Communication | Lack of transparency and failure to disclose critical information |
| Decision-Making | Passive and reactive approach,leading to delayed responses |
| Accountability | Insufficient acknowledgment of civilian casualties and responsibility |
| Recommendations | Urgent need for improved protocols and transparency in military operations |
The fallout from the Hawija report has also reignited debates about the Netherlands’ involvement in international military operations. Experts argue that the incident underscores the need for stricter oversight and clearer guidelines to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the Dutch goverment begins the search for new leadership within the Defense Ministry, the resignations of Hennis and Middendorp serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in public service.The Hawija airstrike and its aftermath will undoubtedly continue to shape discussions about military ethics and transparency for years to come.
For more in-depth analysis on the Hawija report and its implications, visit the original article here.
