Manama: The 18th Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) has commenced in Riyadh, marking the first instance of Saudi Arabia hosting this significant event. Organized by the Ministry of Defense's National Defense University in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the workshop sees participation from over 125 senior military officers representing 90 countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the inauguration was led by Lieutenant General Fayyad Al Ruwaili, Chief of General Staff of Saudi Arabia, and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the ICRC.
In his opening remarks, Al Ruwaili emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing international humanitarian law (IHL) within military operations. He highlighted that, under the stewardship of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia has instituted laws that criminalize war violations, ensuring equitable accountability through specialized courts.
Al Ruwaili noted that Saudi Arabia's adherence to IHL is in line with Islamic Sharia principles of mercy and justice even during conflict, affirming that IHL principles are incorporated into military education and training programs for practical application by armed forces personnel.
He praised the partnership with the ICRC as an innovative model for legal and humanitarian training and emphasized the humanitarian efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in conflict and disaster zones worldwide.
The ICRC President indicated that the workshop is timely, given the increasing number and intensity of global conflicts, which heighten the pressure on laws protecting civilians. She stressed the importance of this gathering in Riyadh, with representatives from 90 countries, as a collective responsibility to respect and implement IHL effectively on the battlefield, and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting this international event.
The workshop sessions, which continue until November 6, focus on combat operations in urban settings, emerging military technologies, multinational operations, and enhancing the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during conflicts.
This event, held at the National Defense University, showcases Saudi Arabia's growing military education capabilities and its role as a hub for international dialogue and partnerships in military training and international humanitarian law.