UN Rights Chief Warns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Airports Could Constitute War Crimes

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has raised concerns over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian infrastructure and demanded the immediate, unconditional release of 71 UN personnel detained in Yemen.

NEW YORK: Attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia on airports and other civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia could raise questions of war crimes, the United Nations’ top human rights official has warned, while condemning the continued detention of dozens of UN staff in Yemen.

Volker Türk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, told Arab News that international humanitarian law permits attacks on civilian airports only when they qualify as legitimate military targets. He warned that strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure could constitute serious violations of international law.

“If you start attacking civilians, civilian infrastructure, it does raise questions of war crimes, indeed,” Türk said during a press briefing in New York on Wednesday.

He expressed concern over the escalating violence and highlighted the detention of 71 UN personnel by the Houthis, including eight staff members from his own office. Some of the detainees have reportedly been held for years.

“It’s totally unacceptable,” Türk said, describing the detentions as a serious violation of the privileges and immunities afforded to United Nations personnel. He added that the workers were being held in “very, very dire” conditions and called for their immediate and unconditional release.

“They should be released unconditionally and immediately,” he said.

Houthi Attacks Target Saudi Airports

Earlier this month, Türk condemned a series of Houthi attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia that reportedly killed at least 22 people and injured more than 350 Saudi citizens and foreign nationals. He called for thorough investigations and urged that those responsible be held accountable.

Five airports across the Kingdom, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, have reportedly come under attack since October 5.

“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” Türk said in an earlier statement.

Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the international Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, said on October 15 that King Khalid International Airport alone had been targeted 20 times since the beginning of the month.

The attacks have continued, with the coalition reporting on Wednesday that it had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward the Saudi city of Taif.

Türk Urges Israel to Respect International Law

Turning to Israel, where voters went to the polls in a general election on Tuesday, Türk urged the next government to change its approach to the ongoing conflict and comply with international legal obligations.

“Don’t continue the current course of warfare, where you think you’re above international law, because I think that’s what we have, frankly, seen,” he said.

Türk stressed that Israeli authorities must comply with both international humanitarian law and international human rights law. He expressed hope that the next government would significantly change course and respect those obligations.

He also defended the work of his office in monitoring and documenting developments in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, describing its reporting as essential to ensuring that the international community remains informed about conditions on the ground.

Türk rejected suggestions that his office had failed to condemn Hamas. He said he had repeatedly denounced the October 7 attacks and that his office monitored the conduct of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, as well as Israeli authorities.

The UN human rights office was also deeply concerned by reports of Palestinians being executed in Gaza, which Türk described as potential extrajudicial killings.

He said Palestinians were confined to less than 30 percent of Gaza’s territory and faced the continuing threat of killings by Israeli forces. He also voiced concern about intimidation or violence against Palestinians by any party, including Hamas.

Concerns Over Displacement and Destruction in Lebanon

Türk also raised concerns over the situation in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes and the destruction of property have left thousands of people unable to return to their homes.

Speaking to Arab News, he recalled meeting displaced residents from southern Lebanon who described finding their homes demolished when they attempted to return.

“Once they tried to return, they saw that their whole house was demolished,” he said.

Türk made the remarks following a visit to Lebanon at the end of July, during which he toured damaged neighbourhoods in Beirut and met people affected by Israeli attacks.

According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 330,000 people were internally displaced in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes that continued despite a ceasefire agreement.

Türk said the destruction of homes and the inability of displaced residents to return raised serious concerns that required further investigation and accountability.

“There needs to be very robust follow-up and questions of accountability as well,” he said.

An investigative team dispatched by Türk’s office to Lebanon in June is preparing an assessment of the situation. He said the report was still being drafted and was expected to be published in the coming weeks.

The UN human rights chief’s remarks underscore growing concerns over civilian protection, the detention of humanitarian personnel and alleged violations of international law across several conflict zones in the Middle East. He called for accountability and respect for international legal obligations by all parties involved.