Research

All major publications from Airwars’ documentation, research, investigations and policy teams

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15 posts
14 Mar, 2025
Policy

Dutch MoD releases results of largest ever assessment of civilian harm allegations from the war against ISIS

Release marks unprecedented transparency in military casualty reviews
airwars.org ↗
7 Mar, 2024
Investigations, Policy

The bombing of Quala 4131

Visual retelling of 2007 Dutch bombing in Afghanistan that killed at least 11 civilians, later ruled unlawful by Dutch court
25 Nov, 2022
Policy

What next for the Explosive Weapons declaration?

When explosive weapons are used in populated areas, over 90% of those harmed are civilians. This declaration could curb such use; success depends on honest implementation
7 Jul, 2020
Policy
Iraq

Dutch defence minister announces fresh transparency moves

The Dutch Minister of Defence, Ank Bijleveld, has reported to Parliament on the latest progress made by the Government in improving transparency regarding civilian harm as a result of Dutch military actions. Coupled with other steps taken in the months after the Hawijah scandal, the Netherlands appears slowly to be shedding its reputation as one […]
23 Mar, 2020
Policy, Update
Iraq, Syria

Newly released documents reveal Dutch knew about possible high risk to civilians at Hawijah

Newly declassified documents released by the Dutch Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, and the Netherlands Public Prosecutor’s Office, have revealed a number of disturbing facts about Dutch airstrikes on Hawijah and Mosul in 2015 which killed dozens of civilians. The previously secret documents show, for example, that the Dutch military official with a potential […]
A March 2017 airstrike during the battle for Mosul against Islamic State. While the US-led Coalition has admitted almost 1,400 civilian deaths during the war, European allies have remained almost silent about their own responsibility. (Via Reuters/ Alaa Al-Marjani)
15 Mar, 2020
Investigations, Policy
Iraq, Syria

Europe’s shame: Claims by key allies of no civilian harm in war against ISIS exposed

Key European allies are denying dozens of civilian deaths from their own actions - even where the US-led Coalition finds such cases to be credible.
10 Jan, 2019
Update
Iraq, Syria

Time for proper accountability now that Dutch aircraft and military personnel are home

On December 31st 2018, the participation of Netherlands F-16s in the international fight against so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria came to an agreed end, after almost four years of airstrikes. Despite conducting precision airstrikes, the Coalition has not always been successful in preventing civilian casualties – with the alliance overall admitting at […]
13 Apr, 2018
Update

Netherlands admits civilian harm in Iraqi airstrikes – but won’t say where or when

Dutch military still refuses to say where or when civilians were killed or injured in Iraqi strikes - or how many casualties.
13 Apr, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Netherlands admits civilian harm in Iraqi airstrikes – but won’t say where or when

Dutch military still refuses to say where or when civilians were killed or injured in Iraqi strikes - or how many casualties.
15 Mar, 2018
Update

Resumed Dutch air campaign against ISIS sees transparency improvements

The Netherlands - often criticized for being the least transparent member of the US-led Coalition - has improved its public reporting since strikes renewed in January
15 Mar, 2018
Update
Iraq, Syria

Resumed Dutch air campaign against ISIS sees transparency improvements

The Netherlands - often criticized for being the least transparent member of the US-led Coalition - has improved its public reporting since strikes renewed in January
1 Dec, 2017
Update

Airwars meets with MPs as the Netherlands prepares to resume mission against Islamic State

Parliamentary hearing is told that Dutch military transparency is the weakest among all allies in the international Coalition.
1 Dec, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

Airwars meets with MPs as the Netherlands prepares to resume mission against Islamic State

Parliamentary hearing is told that Dutch military transparency is the weakest among all allies in the international Coalition.
4 May, 2017
Update

1,000 days of war: bridging local realities and Coalition partner claims

Belgium and the Netherlands paint a sterile picture of war for home audiences. As our Amsterdam-based researcher reports, this jars with reported realities from the battlefield
4 May, 2017
Update
Iraq, Syria

1,000 days of war: bridging local realities and Coalition partner claims

Belgium and the Netherlands paint a sterile picture of war for home audiences. As our Amsterdam-based researcher reports, this jars with reported realities from the battlefield