ICRC calls for urgent de-escalation as Middle East conflict risks further expansion

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, warning that expanding conflict could further worsen humanitarian conditions and increase civilian casualties and displacement.

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric issued the warning amid an escalation involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia, saying continued hostilities risk drawing additional areas into the regional conflict.

“The recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, affecting Yemen and Saudi Arabia, threatens to further expand the conflict in the region,” Spoljaric said.

“If this process is not contained, the situation could worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian plight of millions of people,” she added.

Spoljaric said humanitarian organisations could help address the consequences of fighting but could not substitute for compliance with international humanitarian law or political efforts to reduce tensions.

She warned that continued hostilities could lead to additional deaths and injuries, population displacement and major disruptions to essential infrastructure and services, including healthcare, water, fuel and electricity supplies.

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The ICRC president also urged all parties to take sustained measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, emphasising their obligations under international humanitarian law to distinguish between civilians and combatants and take precautions to minimise civilian harm.

Her comments follow attacks from Yemen on energy facilities in populated areas of southern Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Ministry of Energy said on Tuesday that several facilities were hit, causing fires and partially disrupting production.

Saudi Civil Defence authorities reported that at least 73 people were injured in missile and drone attacks attributed to the Houthi group.

The latest escalation has increased concerns among humanitarian organisations about the potential for fighting to spread further across the region and compound existing humanitarian emergencies.

The ICRC operates across several conflict-affected areas of the Middle East, providing humanitarian and medical assistance and working to protect people affected by armed conflict.

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