Civilians are paying an unacceptable price as a result of military operations in the Middle East.
The deaths, injuries and destruction in Saudi Arabia in recent days are yet another example of the devastating toll that hostilities are taking on civilians.
In Yemen, the scale of death, displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure, including in Aden and Sana'a, is mounting at an alarming rate. Across the Middle East, civilian infrastructure has repeatedly been hit and lives have been lost.
Civilians and civilian objects must be spared from attack. Parties to conflict must, at all times, distinguish between civilians, civilian objects and military targets. Strikes on ports, airports and essential infrastructure risk severe consequences for communities who rely on them.
A further intensification of hostilities would be disastrous for tens of millions of people. Urgent efforts must be made to de-escalate and protect civilians from further harm.
About the ICRC
Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to relieve suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. Alongside our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, we deliver life-saving aid across front lines and strive to reconnect families and locate missing people.
Engaging with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, we advocate for humane treatment of detainees and urge compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm, including online.
For more information, please contact:
Hachem Osseiran, ICRC Geneva, Tel.: +41227489674, hosseiran@icrc.org
Press Office, ICRC Geneva, Tel.: +41 22 730 34 43, press@icrc.org
