ICRC urges civilian protection as Middle East hostilities escalate

International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric called on October 13 for urgent de-escalation across Middle East conflicts. She warned that further intensification would endanger tens of millions of people.

The organisation pointed to deaths, injuries and destruction in Saudi Arabia in recent days as another example of the heavy toll of military operations on civilians.

In Yemen, the committee said deaths, displacement and damage to infrastructure were increasing, including in Aden and Sanaa. The statement did not give new precise totals for people killed or displaced.

Spoljaric recalled the parties' obligation to distinguish civilians and civilian objects from military targets. The ICRC also warned that attacks on ports, airports and essential infrastructure could have severe consequences for communities that depend on them. The appeal is not an announcement of an agreed ceasefire.