Results Known from Additional Investigations into Dutch Weapon Deployment in Hawija in 2015

The additional investigations were initiated after missing video footage was traced. A Dutch F-16 had recorded this footage on the morning following the attack on the bomb factory.

An individual-focused investigation shows that the involved detachment commander carefully, fully, and truthfully compiled the so-called After Action Report under the given circumstances, taking into account the applicable regulations, instructions, and implementation practices. The committee, consisting of three independent external members, concludes that the detachment commander acted with integrity throughout.

The Sorgdrager Committee decided to reopen its investigation and to prepare an addendum to its report. This contains renewed findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding the recovered F-16 footage, the duty to inform Parliament, Defences intelligence position, and archiving.

In its addendum, the Sorgdrager Committee sharpens earlier conclusions about how successive cabinets have accounted for their actions. The tightened recommendations concern improvements in information management and archiving.

Brekelmans indicates that the poor information provision and transparency towards Parliament should not have happened. In the cabinets response to the report, the cabinet again apologized last year. This was not only for incorrectly and incompletely informing Parliament but also because it took so long before all information was available.

The Brouwer Committee investigated when the video footage traced last year was made, how and why it was stored and used at the time, and in which archives it was stored and eventually traced. These questions have now also been answered.

In its report, the Committee provides (human and organizational) explanations for the fact that the original footage did not reach the Sorgdrager Committee in time. The Brouwer Committee points to misunderstandings, shortcomings, changes in function, miscommunication, and the passage of time. The committee also points to working methods and organizational aspects that coincided with the handling of the Sorgdrager Committees requests by the ministry.
 
According to the minister, the conclusions of the Brouwer Committee make it clear that Defence must invest heavily in information management and archiving.

In last years cabinet response, Brekelmans announced several measures for improvement. The additional investigations underscore the importance of this. Defence is proceeding vigorously with this.

In addition, Brekelmans considers it important to make progress with the establishment of new projects that benefit the affected community in Hawija.