Defense Probes Hawija Air Raid Commander
- THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch Ministry of Defense has launched an investigation into the commander who oversaw a 2015 airstrike on the Iraqi city...
- The investigation was prompted by the resurfacing of video footage depicting the extensive destruction caused by the attack, which occurred a day after the event.
- Former minister Sorgdrager, who headed the initial inquiry into the bombing, reviewed the images and concluded that the commander in charge had not been forthcoming about the...
Dutch Defense Ministry Investigates Commander Over 2015 Hawija Airstrike
Table of Contents
- Dutch Defense Ministry Investigates Commander Over 2015 Hawija Airstrike
- Dutch Defense Ministry Investigates Hawija Airstrike: Your Questions Answered
- What is the Dutch Ministry of Defense investigating?
- What prompted this investigation related to the Hawija airstrike?
- What was the target of the 2015 airstrike?
- Are there concerns about civilian casualties?
- What did Sorgdrager say about the civilian casualties?
- What role did video footage play in this investigation?
- What will happen with the video footage?
- Who is under investigation?
By Teh Associated Press
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch Ministry of Defense has launched an investigation into the commander who oversaw a 2015 airstrike on the Iraqi city of Hawija, according to a letter sent to the Lower house by Minister Brekelmans.
The investigation was prompted by the resurfacing of video footage depicting the extensive destruction caused by the attack, which occurred a day after the event. The images, initially lost, were brought to light following a report in de Volkskrant, raising questions about the handling of the video evidence.
Concerns Over Civilian Casualties
Former minister Sorgdrager, who headed the initial inquiry into the bombing, reviewed the images and concluded that the commander in charge had not been forthcoming about the potential for civilian deaths resulting from the strike.
Target: IS Car Bomb Facility
The target of the airstrike was reportedly a storage facility used by the Islamic State group (IS) to manufacture car bombs. The massive explosion, triggered by the large quantity of explosives stored at the site, resulted in widespread devastation. While suspicions of civilian casualties were reported to authorities in The hague, they were allegedly omitted from official reports.
“That commander states that he did not include the suspicion of civilian casualties in his report,because he would only do that if he knew for sure,” Sorgdrager said last week on news hour.”We have to get the truth above water.”
Video Release
Sorgdrager has advocated for the public release of the video footage, a position Minister Brekelmans now supports. According to his letter to Parliament, one video, which zooms in on the attack itself, will be shown to the Chamber on wednesday before being released to the public. However, a second video, providing a wider view of the destruction following the attack, will not be made public.
The commander under investigation currently holds a senior position within the Defense ministry, according to de Volkskrant.
Dutch Defense Ministry Investigates Hawija Airstrike: Your Questions Answered
By The Associated Press
Do you want to understand more about the 2015 Hawija airstrike and the current investigation? Read on…
What is the Dutch Ministry of Defense investigating?
The Dutch Ministry of Defense is investigating the commander who oversaw a 2015 airstrike on the Iraqi city of Hawija. This investigation was launched following the emergence of new video footage related to the attack. The initial inquiry raised questions again about the incident,prompting a new probe.
The investigation was prompted by the reappearance of video footage showing the widespread destruction caused by the airstrike.These images,which surfaced after a report in “de Volkskrant,” have fueled further scrutiny of the event and its aftermath.
What was the target of the 2015 airstrike?
The target of the airstrike was reportedly a storage facility used by the Islamic State group (IS) to manufacture car bombs. The large explosion caused by the explosives at the site resulted in important damage.
Are there concerns about civilian casualties?
Yes, there are serious concerns about the potential for civilian casualties. Former minister Sorgdrager, who led the initial inquiry, reviewed the images and found the commander in charge did not provide complete information about the possibility of civilian deaths resulting from the strike.
What did Sorgdrager say about the civilian casualties?
According to Sorgdrager, the commander stated that he did not include the suspicion of civilian casualties in his report as he would only do so if he knew without a doubt. Sorgdrager emphasized the need to uncover the truth, stating on “news hour,” “We have to get the truth above water.”
What role did video footage play in this investigation?
The video footage is central to the current investigation. the resurfacing of these images, initially lost, prompted the review and subsequent investigation. The footage depicts the widespread destruction caused by the airstrike.
What will happen with the video footage?
The public release of the video footage is being considered. Minister Brekelmans supports the release, as advocated by Sorgdrager. One video, which focuses on the attack itself, will be shown to Parliament before being released to the public. However, a second video, providing a broader view of the devastation, will not be made public.
Who is under investigation?
The commander who oversaw the 2015 airstrike is the subject of the investigation.The commander currently holds a senior position within the Defense ministry, according to “de Volkskrant.”