Saudi Arabia Inaugurates 18th SWIRMO Workshop in Riyadh, Pledges Commitment to IHL

The 18th Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) began today in Riyadh, marking the first time the Kingdom has hosted this important event, organized by the Ministry of Defense’s National Defense University in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
 The workshop was inaugurated by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, with the participation of 125 senior military officers representing 90 countries worldwide.
 In his welcoming address, Al-Ruwaili underscored the Kingdom's firm commitment to respecting, promoting, and strengthening the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) in military operations. He affirmed that the Saudi leadership has given great attention to IHL provisions in national legislation, enacting laws that criminalize violations of the laws of war and ensuring fair accountability through a robust legal and institutional framework, including specialized courts.
 Al-Ruwaili highlighted that the Kingdom was among the first countries to accede to the four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, affirming its enduring commitment to IHL principles. He pointed out that this commitment aligns with the tolerant teachings of Islamic Sharia, which calls for mercy, justice, and humane conduct even in times of war. He added that the Ministry of Defense has integrated IHL principles into its military education curricula and training programs since its inception, aiming to ensure practical application by all armed forces personnel.
 He emphasized the ministry's numerous specialized IHL training programs, often conducted in cooperation with the ICRC, expressing the Kingdom's aspiration to be a global model in the application and training of international law. He further noted that the Kingdom's commitment extends beyond the military aspects to include humanitarian and relief efforts, citing the prominent work of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in conflict and disaster zones worldwide.
 Meanwhile, the ICRC president emphasized that this year's SWIRMO comes at a pivotal moment, noting the global rise in the number and intensity of conflicts, which puts the laws designed to protect civilians under immense pressure. She stressed that the gathering of representatives from 90 countries in Riyadh underscores the responsibility of all states to respect and ensure respect for IHL, expressing gratitude to the Kingdom for hosting this global event aimed at translating the rules of war from written texts into practical application on the battlefield.