UAE Foreign Minister Condemns Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure in the Region

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday issued a forceful condemnation of attacks targeting civilian infrastructure across the region, describing such assaults as a serious violation of international humanitarian law that inflicts untold suffering on innocent populations.

In remarks carried by UAE state media, Sheikh Abdullah warned that the deliberate targeting of schools, hospitals, and transportation hubs constitutes a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions and established norms governing armed conflict. He stressed that such attacks not only cause direct civilian casualties but also spread widespread terror among affected communities, compounding humanitarian crises already straining the region.

The top Emirati diplomat called for an immediate cessation of all attacks on civilian infrastructure, urging all parties to conflicts across the Middle East to uphold their obligations under international law. He emphasized that the protection of civilians and the facilities they depend upon for survival must remain an inviolable principle, regardless of the political or military objectives of any belligerent party.

The statement comes amid escalating violence across multiple fronts in the region, with civilian infrastructure bearing a disproportionate toll in ongoing conflicts. International organizations have repeatedly documented the destruction of hospitals, water treatment facilities, and educational institutions, warning that the erosion of civilian protections risks normalizing violations that the international community has long sought to prevent.

The UAE's position aligns broadly with the stance taken by fellow Gulf Cooperation Council members, including Qatar, which has consistently championed the protection of civilians and called for accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. Doha has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to secure ceasefires and deliver humanitarian aid to conflict zones, particularly in Gaza, where civilian infrastructure has suffered catastrophic damage.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has on numerous occasions condemned the targeting of civilian facilities, with Doha hosting multiple rounds of negotiations aimed at ending hostilities and alleviating the suffering of affected populations. The convergence of Gulf states on the issue of civilian protection reflects a growing regional consensus that stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved while fundamental humanitarian principles are being violated with impunity.

Regional analysts noted that Sheikh Abdullah's remarks signal the UAE's desire to position itself as a voice for restraint and adherence to international norms at a time of heightened tensions. The statement did not single out any specific conflict or party, instead framing the condemnation as a matter of universal principle applicable across the region.

International humanitarian organizations have welcomed the statement, calling on all regional powers to translate such declarations into concrete pressure on warring parties to respect the laws of armed conflict and ensure that civilian populations are shielded from the worst consequences of hostilities.