Statement

13-10-2026

Geneva (ICRC) – The following is a statement from ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric:

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.