Red Crescent warns of normalization of attacks on civilian infrastructure in Middle East conflicts

The head of the Red Crescent has warned about the normalization of attacks on civilian infrastructure in war and emphasized that threatening or attacking vital and nuclear facilities could have irreversible consequences for civilians and future generations.

Following the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and increased threats against vital facilities, the head of the International Committee of the Red Crescent has warned about a dangerous trend taking shape in some contemporary wars and announced that targeting civilian infrastructure should not become a normal practice in warfare.

Mirjana Spoljaric, head of the International Committee of the Red Crescent, in a statement referring to the current situation in the region, emphasized that deliberate threats against vital infrastructure, whether in the form of political statements or military operations, could undermine the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. She warned that such a process ultimately causes the greatest harm to civilians.

The statement reads: “Deliberate threats, whether in the form of rhetoric or action, against civilian vital infrastructure and nuclear facilities, should not become a normal practice in warfare.”

The head of the Red Crescent, referring to field reports from the organization’s relief teams in conflict zones, said: “In many places, infrastructure essential for the survival of civilians has been targeted in attacks.”

He explained that power plants, water supply systems, hospitals, roads, bridges, homes, and even educational centers are among the targets that have been damaged during military operations. According to him, this process not only disrupts the lives of millions of people but could also create broader humanitarian crises.

Spoljaric further warned that “any war conducted without limits and boundaries is not compatible with law; such warfare is unjustifiable, inhumane, and devastating for all populations.”

One of the most significant concerns raised in this statement is the danger of threatening or attacking nuclear facilities in the region. The head of the Red Crescent emphasized that any miscalculation in this area could have irreversible consequences for future generations.

According to the laws of war and international regulations, nuclear facilities and other vital infrastructure enjoy special protection because damage to them can cause harm beyond the battlefield and endanger millions of people.

These warnings are being raised at a time when military tensions in the Middle East have intensely increased in recent weeks. Military conflicts between multiple regional and international actors, mutual missile attacks, and threats against vital infrastructure have created widespread concerns about the expansion of war in the region.

Some reports also indicate that threats of attacks on energy facilities, power plants, and other vital infrastructure have been raised during this crisis, and this issue has increased concerns among human rights organizations and international bodies.

At the end of the statement, the head of the International Committee of the Red Crescent called on all parties to the conflict to uphold their commitments under international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian property.

He said in this regard: “I urgently call on the parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian property in all military operations. This is a commitment under international humanitarian law. States must respect the rules of war in both word and deed and ensure their implementation.”

International law experts also emphasize that according to the Geneva Conventions, targeting infrastructure essential for civilian survival, including water resources, electricity, and medical services, can in many cases be considered a war crime.

At a time when the number of armed conflicts in the world is increasing, humanitarian organizations warn that disregard for the laws of war could create broader humanitarian crises and further threaten global security.