The Dutch Ministry of Defence is facing scrutiny for its efforts to locate and support survivors and the families of victims from a 2015 Dutch airstrike in Hawija, Iraq. Investigative journalists from Investico, BOOS and De Groene Amsterdammer report that the Ministry has not done enough to trace those affected.
Information is Available
More than ten years ago, Dutch F-16s bombed a building in Hawija used by Islamic State for bomb-making. The resulting explosion devastated a residential area, killing at least seventy civilians. In 2025, a commission investigating the incident determined that the Ministry of Defence relied too heavily on American intelligence and failed to adequately assess the potential consequences of the strike, specifically the risk of the explosives within the facility detonating.
In January of this year, then-Minister of Defence Brekelmans traveled to Hawija to personally apologize to survivors and families of victims. During the visit, he announced an additional 10 million euros would be allocated towards the reconstruction of Hawija. However, the Minister stated that the government lacks sufficient information to determine individual damages and that no local authority exists with the necessary data.
Investigations reveal the existence of a compensation office in the capital of the province containing Hawija, established to assist victims of military and terrorist violence in Iraq, and possessing information on the Hawija victims. The Dutch government did not contact this office. The Iraqi NGO Ashor, working with the University of Utrecht and the Dutch peace organization Pax, has compiled a dossier of information from those affected, which was repeatedly offered to the Dutch government without response from the Ministry of Defence.
Compensation
The Ministry of Defence has previously provided compensation to families in Afghanistan and Iraq who lost relatives in Dutch airstrikes, without acknowledging fault. Just weeks ago, the government issued an apology and financial compensation to the families of victims of a 2016 bombing at a university in Iraq, which killed two teachers and five family members.
Minister of Defence Yesilgöz stated that the state is free to choose how to compensate victims, but did not explain why individual compensation is not being considered for those affected in Hawija.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Hawija in 2015?
Dutch F-16s bombed a building in Hawija used by Islamic State for bomb-making, resulting in an explosion that devastated a residential area and killed at least seventy civilians.
What did the Sorgdrager Committee identify?
The committee found that the Ministry of Defence relied too heavily on American intelligence and did not adequately assess the potential consequences of the strike.
Has the Dutch government offered any assistance to the victims?
The government has offered 10 million euros for the reconstruction of Hawija, but has not provided individual financial compensation to victims or their families.
As the Dutch government continues to address the legacy of the Hawija airstrike, will it prioritize a more comprehensive and proactive approach to identifying and supporting those who suffered loss and hardship as a result of the operation?
