Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili affirmed that the Kingdom places strong emphasis on adhering to the provisions of international humanitarian law within its national legislation, having enacted laws that criminalize violations of the laws of war.

Speaking at the opening of the 18th Senior Workshop on International Rules Governing Military Operations (SWIRMO), held for the first time in Riyadh, Al-Ruwaili stressed that Saudi Arabia upholds the fundamental principles governing military operations and ensures fair accountability within a solid legal and institutional framework.

Specialized courts, he noted, play an active role in addressing wartime cases in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“The Kingdom was among the first countries to join the four Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, reaffirming its commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law and its efforts to translate them into its policies, legislation, and field practices,” Al-Ruwaili said.

He emphasized that this commitment aligns with Islamic teachings that promote mercy, justice, and benevolence even during conflict, including humane treatment of prisoners of war. These values, he said, form a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s approach to human rights in both peace and war, reflecting its enduring respect for human dignity.

Al-Ruwaili highlighted that the Ministry of Defense has long incorporated international humanitarian law principles into its military education curricula and training programs to ensure their proper understanding and application in the field.

He added that the ministry has carried out specialized training programs in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other national bodies, aiming to make Saudi Arabia a global model in implementing and promoting international humanitarian law.

Al-Ruwaili described the partnership with the ICRC as a “distinguished example of effective cooperation” in legal and humanitarian awareness and capacity building, enhancing professionalism and discipline across the armed forces.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s commitment extends beyond legal and military dimensions to humanitarian and relief efforts, led by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), which implements hundreds of projects in conflict and disaster zones worldwide while upholding principles of neutrality and non-discrimination.

The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Defense through the National Defense University in partnership with the ICRC, brought together more than 125 senior military officers from 90 countries, alongside ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger.