In 2023, surviving relatives, children, and other family members held the Dutch government liable for the bombing of their homes on 22 March 2016. Seven civilians were killed because of that attack. They lived at the university complex in Mosul and were mistakenly bombed by Dutch F-16 pilots who had received incorrect intelligence from the United States indicating that the site was an IS-complex. The Ministry of Defense investigated the bombing and sent its findings to the bereaved families on 25 March 2026. In its report, the Ministry apologizes for the mistake and offers to compensate the damages incurred. The bereaved families are represented by attorneys Liesbeth Zegveld and Thomas van der Sommen.
This is the second attack that was mistakenly carried out by the Netherlands in Iraq, for which it is now offering compensation. The first such attack took place in 2015. More information about that first attack can be found here.
Annexes (in Dutch)
- ‘“Unieke” excuses regering aan nabestaanden bombardementen Mosul’ (television report) Nieuwsuur, 25 March 2026
- ‘Nederland maakt excuses voor dodelijke bom op Irakese stad Mosul’, NOS, 25 March 2026
- Meindertsma, ‘Defensie compenseert nabestaanden van twee families na Nederlands vergisbombardement in Irak’, Volkskrant, 25 March 2026