A look at the Defence news 10 - 16 March
On behalf of the Dutch Government, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans responded to the report of the Sorgdrager Committee, which investigated an airstrike on an ISIS car bomb factory in Hawija, Iraq in 2015. While the government believes that the air strike was legitimate, it is appalling that it caused unintended civilian casualties and extensive property damage. The government regrets this and apologises. Last week, the minister conveyed that message to the mayor of Hawija.
2023 reports of civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria: no need for further investigation
A preliminary investigation has been carried out into 61 reports of possible civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). There appears to be no need for further action. Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans informed the House of Representatives of this last week. The reports were submitted in September 2023 by the non-governmental organisation Airwars, which did so after the Defence organisation released more information about the Netherlands’ participation in the OIR air campaign.
Brekelmans and Eichelsheim among NATO troops in the freezing cold
“A perfect example of the strength of the NATO Alliance.” These were the words used by Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans to describe the large-scale exercise Joint Viking in Norway, which was attended by the minister and the Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim. The two also spent a night with the troops in the field.
HNLMS Groningen intercepts more than 500 kilos of cocaine
HNLMS Groningen intercepted a consignment of more than 500 kilos of cocaine in the Caribbean. The seized goods came from 2 drug transports. Although these transports had already been intercepted on 13 and 25 February, this was only announced last week.
Naval vessel tests launch of Tomahawk missile
Last week, the air defence and command frigate HNLMS De Ruyter fired a Tomahawk missile off the coast of the American city of Norfolk, Virginia. It was the first time that a Dutch naval vessel fired this type of missile.