The American Center for Justice (ACJ) condemns the horrific attack carried out by the Houthi militia against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The attack resulted in the deaths of twelve civilians of various nationalities and injuries to more than 300 people. This devastating toll underscores the militia’s deliberate intent to inflict the greatest possible harm on unarmed civilians at a civilian facility crowded with passengers and airport personnel.
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) notes that targeting civilian airports and aviation facilities constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the principle of distinction, which prohibits directing attacks against civilian objects. The Center considers the Houthi militia, fundamentally, a rebel entity and maintains that all its military operations that harm civilians and target vital infrastructure are unlawful acts that may amount to war crimes and warrant international criminal accountability.
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) documents the Houthi militia’s continued issuance of explicit threats to target civil aviation and intimidate passengers and airlines. Houthi militia leaders have issued warnings urging people to avoid Saudi airports and airspace. The Center emphasizes that the use of projectiles to strike civilian infrastructure reveals a systematic strategy based on direct intimidation and a disregard for civilian life.
The American Center for Justice (ACJ) calls on the international community and United Nations mechanisms to adopt firm and practical measures that go beyond statements of condemnation and activate accountability mechanisms against Houthi militia leaders responsible for these crimes. The Center stresses the need for serious intervention to ensure the protection of civilian objects and prevent those responsible for these grave violations from enjoying impunity.
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