Saudi Arabia: UN Rights Chief Appalled by Attacks on Airports, Urges Parties to Spare Civilians

Summary

On 12 October 2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, issued a public comment condemning repeated attacks by the Houthis on airports in Saudi Arabia. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Mr. Türk said he was appalled by the attacks over recent days, which he said had killed and injured dozens of Saudis and foreign nationals, including an attack on Riyadh's main airport.

Mr. Türk stated that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law. He called for investigation of these attacks and other alleged violations by all parties to the conflict, and for those found responsible to be held to account. This report summarises the High Commissioner's comment and the standards he invoked.

Statement of the High Commissioner

In the comment published by OHCHR on 12 October 2026, Mr. Türk said: "I am appalled by the repeated attacks over the past few days by the Houthis on airports in Saudi Arabia, which have killed and injured dozens of Saudis and foreign nationals, notably yesterday's horrific attack on Riyadh's main airport."

He said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and that these attacks and other alleged violations by all parties to this conflict must be investigated, with those found responsible held to account.

Mr. Türk also referred to the civilian toll of the wider conflict in both Yemen and Saudi Arabia. He urged all parties to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality, to take constant care to spare civilians, and to de-escalate in order to avert further catastrophe.

Reporting on the Comment

Anadolu Agency reported on 12 October 2026 that the UN rights chief was appalled by repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and urged de-escalation. Sabq, a Saudi news outlet, similarly reported that Mr. Türk condemned the attacks as a clear violation of international humanitarian law and stressed the need for serious investigations and accountability.

Scoop News published the text of the High Commissioner's comment as a press release from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, matching the language released by OHCHR.

Relevant International Standards

International humanitarian law, including rules reflected in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, requires parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects are prohibited. Parties must also take constant care to spare the civilian population and civilian objects, and to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality.

Where serious violations are alleged, states and other duty bearers are expected under international law to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute those responsible. The High Commissioner's comment situates the reported airport attacks within that framework and extends the call for investigation to alleged violations by all parties.

Positions and Context Noted by the High Commissioner

The High Commissioner's comment attributes the recent airport attacks to the Houthis and focuses on harm in Saudi Arabia, while also stating that the conflict has taken a disastrous toll on civilians in Yemen as well as in Saudi Arabia. He framed his appeal as directed to all parties, including duties of distinction, proportionality, investigation and de-escalation.

At the time of writing, the Taskforce had not identified a detailed public reply from Houthi authorities specifically addressing the 12 October OHCHR comment. Any verified official responses will be reflected in future updates.

Taskforce Note

The Global HR Taskforce will continue to monitor developments relating to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the conflict affecting Yemen and Saudi Arabia, including any further statements by UN human rights mechanisms and any investigation or accountability measures reported by official sources. Sources: OHCHR, "Türk appalled by attacks on airports Saudi Arabia, calls on all parties to spare civilians," 12 October 2026; Anadolu Agency, 12 October 2026; Sabq, 12 October 2026; Scoop News republication of the High Commissioner's comment, 13 October 2026; Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law principles of distinction and proportionality.