Hawija: The Kingdom of the Netherlands has officially apologized to the residents of the Hawija district, west of Kirkuk, for an airstrike conducted by its aircraft on June 2, 2015, which took place during the period of ISIS control over the area. This strike resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians and widespread destruction to residential, industrial, and government infrastructure.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans addressed the issue during a meeting with local government officials, affected residents, and professors at Hawija Polytechnic College. Brekelmans acknowledged that the Netherlands had delayed addressing the mistake for more than a decade and confirmed the country’s apology for the airstrike, which was based on faulty intelligence.

Brekelmans further explained that Dutch law prohibits varying individual compensations for the victims. However, he assured that the Netherlands would implement public service projects to benefit all residents of the area. He mentioned that teams are currently active in Baghdad and Erbil, coordinating with the district commissioner of Hawija to facilitate these projects.

During his visit, the Dutch Defense Minister met with the provincial governor at government headquarters in Kirkuk and toured the site of the mistaken airstrike, accompanied by the district commissioner of Hawija.

Hawija district, located approximately 55 kilometers west of Kirkuk, was targeted on June 2, 2015, in an attack that led to the deaths of at least 70 civilians and caused extensive damage throughout the district. The airstrike was aimed at what was believed to be an explosives factory during the ISIS occupation. The Dutch government later acknowledged that civilians were unintentionally targeted in the attack.