Civilian Harm | Intimacies of Remote Warfare

Here you will find our own research output and a variety of other thematically relevant publications, blogs, events and podcasts we have been inspired by in our investigations into the Intimacies of Remote Warfare.

Remote warfare is only remote for some. While politicians portray it as humanitarian, so-called ‘precision’ airstrikes often lead to mass civilian casualties. The distance at which this type of war is waged and the inaccessibility of its battlefields often leads to these casualties being overlooked. In recent years, however, a growing community of NGOs have utilised remote-sensing techniques to monitor local claims of civilian harm. The resulting contestation of the exact numbers of civilian casualties has provoked intense debate. This raises pressing questions about the impact of the violence executed and democratic control.

21 April 2022

Blog: Dutch House of Representatives to vote on use of armed drones

One day after the Dutch armed forces made the first test-flight with a brand new MQ-9 Reaper, the Dutch House of Representatives will vote on a resolution to allow for its armament. IRW argues a more thorough debate is required.

Research Publication

08 April 2022

After the strike: Exposing the civilian harm effects of the 2015 Dutch airstrike on Hawija

IRW, PAX and Al-Ghad are proud to share their report on the direct and reverberating effects of the 2015 Dutch aistrike on Hawija, Iraq

01 April 2022

Join the launch of IRW’s joint report on remote warfare & civilian harm in Hawija

On April 13, a team of researchers of IRW, PAX and Al-Ghad will present and discuss their findings during a live event at De Balie, Amsterdam

22 February 2022

Dutch journalist makes documentary with victims of Hawija airstrike

In 'Als de Bom Valt’, Danny Ghosen travels to Hawija to let the victims of the 2015 Dutch airstrike share their story.

Liesbeth Zegveld sues Dutch state on behalf of Hawija victims

Dr Gould discusses Zegveld’s case in the NOS podcast 'Met het Oog op Morgen'.

04 February 2022

IRW discusses civilian harm in The Independent

IRW’s Dr. Lauren Gould was interviewed for an article in The Independent about the negative effects of states failing to take responsibility for civilian casualties.

03 February 2022

The ‘Civilian Casualty Files’: How US precision airstrikes caused thousands of civilian deaths

In a series of New York Times publications, Azmat Khan exposes the true human toll of American airstrikes.

17 December 2021

IRW discusses the case of Hawija at PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

Event: Dr Lauren Gould, Project Leader of IRW, speaks about ongoing research on the 2015 Dutch airstrike of Hawija at the PAX Protection of Civilians Conference

Research Publication

16 December 2021

Yemen: The Unheard Voices

Research report from Maha Al-Buhar on how the Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes in Yemen are interpreted and contested by civilians on the receiving end.

Research Publication

01 December 2021

Report: “After the Dust Settles: Seeking Acknowledgement and Justice”

How was the 2015 bombing on Hawija experienced and interpreted on social media? A team of students from Utrecht University collaborated with IRW and PAX to answer this question. Their findings are now available in a research report.