2007 Afghan village bombing violated international law, court rules

The Hague District Court held the Dutch government responsible for the 2007 home bombings in Afghan villages that killed between 50 and 80 civilians, making the attacks illegal under international law. said to be in violation.

A group of Afghan civilians, survivors and relatives of those killed have filed a civil suit against the government. The military had not established that the building was being used by Taliban fighters at the time.

The Dutch were part of the coalition fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Earlier in the day, Taliban fighters used the building to open fire on Dutch servicemen.

However, an airstrike on the facility took place 12 hours later at midnight. By then, the fighters had left and the families had returned home, according to the victims’ lawyers.

“These people were asleep, but in the middle of the night a bomb surprised them, killing 20 family members,” said Liesbeth Zegveld, a lawyer for the relatives. told the NOS.

The Defense Department denied any wrongdoing and said its soldiers had reason to believe the complex was a legitimate military target. The ministry has given him three months to appeal.