| 2015 Hawija bombing | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of War in Iraq | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Netherlands (Royal Netherlands Air Force) | ISIS | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | Unknown number of ISIS militants | ||||||
| 85+ civilian deaths | |||||||
2015 Hawija bombing was a controversial military airstrike carried out by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) during the night of 2-3 June 2015, during the ongoing War in Iraq. The strike, targeting an ISIS weapons cache in the town of Hawija, Iraq led to significant civilian casualties, sparking political and public outcry in the Netherlands. The bombing was part of the larger international coalition campaign against ISIS. [1]
In 2014, the Netherlands joined the international coalition fighting ISIS, contributing military support in the form of airstrikes. The coalition's aim was to weaken ISIS by targeting its infrastructure, military assets, and leadership. On 20 March 2015, Dutch F-16 fighter jets, operating within the framework of the coalition, carried out an airstrike on a warehouse in Hawija believed to house ISIS weapons.
At the time, intelligence reports suggested that ISIS militants were present, leading the Dutch forces to authorize the strike. However, following the attack, it became clear that the bombing had caused significant collateral damage, including the deaths of at least 85 civilians. [2]
Local reports indicated that many of the victims were workers or families who had no connection to ISIS. The attack also led to the destruction of multiple civilian homes near the target site. [1]
The bombing was executed with the belief that ISIS militants were present at the target site—a warehouse suspected of storing weapons. Dutch officials indicated that intelligence from multiple sources supported the assessment that the area was a legitimate military target. However, following the attack, it became clear that the bombing had caused significant collateral damage, including the deaths of at least 70 civilians.
Local reports indicated that many of the victims were workers or families who had no connection to ISIS. The attack also led to the destruction of multiple civilian homes near the target site. [1]
Following the bombing, the Dutch Ministry of Defence launched an internal investigation to determine if the attack adhered to international military law and the rules of engagement. In the ensuing investigation, it was revealed that there were failures in the handling of intelligence data. In particular, it was noted that some vital information about the presence of civilians near the target area had not been adequately considered or communicated to senior commanders.
The report, published in January 2025, led to significant political and public backlash in the Netherlands. Key findings pointed to the withholding of information and delays in communication, which likely contributed to the decision to proceed with the bombing without sufficient precautionary measures for civilian safety. [2]
The bombing generated considerable controversy, both domestically and internationally. In the Netherlands, human rights organizations and opposition political parties criticized the government for not taking sufficient steps to protect civilians. Many called for greater transparency regarding the strike's planning and the operational decisions made by military commanders.
In the aftermath, Dutch Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld and other government officials expressed regret over the civilian deaths. Minister Stef Blok also pledged that steps would be taken to improve the processes for assessing and acting on intelligence to prevent similar incidents in the future. [3]
A personal visit by Dutch officials to the families affected by the bombing was later planned, with Minister Brekelmans expressing a desire to issue public apologies for the civilian deaths. [4]
The attack raised questions about the accountability of military officials in the Dutch airforce. Critics suggested that those responsible for planning and executing the bombing should be held accountable under international humanitarian law. Several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, called for independent investigations into the Dutch military's actions.
In light of these events, the Dutch government committed to reviewing its military procedures and ensuring better transparency in future operations. As of 2025, ongoing debates continue over the extent to which military forces should be held accountable for collateral civilian damage during airstrikes. [4]