The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised fresh concerns over the growing humanitarian consequences of digital warfare, warning that civilians are increasingly being exposed to new and evolving dangers as armed conflicts expand into cyberspace.
In a newly released working paper on its official website, the humanitarian organization identified six major threats linked to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), cautioning that cyber operations and emerging technologies are reshaping the nature of warfare and creating unprecedented risks for civilian populations.
The ICRC said the warning comes at a time when the world is witnessing more than 130 armed conflicts across about 60 countries, with modern wars becoming increasingly complex and technology-driven.
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Essential Services Under Threat
According to the ICRC, one of the gravest dangers is the use of ICT operations to disable essential civilian services.
The organization warned that cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure could interrupt electricity, water supply, telecommunications, banking systems, transportation networks and other public services that millions of civilians depend on every day.
Such disruptions, it said, could have life-threatening consequences, particularly during armed conflicts where communities are already struggling to survive.
Hospitals and Humanitarian Organizations at Risk
The ICRC also expressed concern over ICT operations directed at medical facilities and humanitarian organizations.
It warned that cyber attacks affecting hospitals, ambulance services, humanitarian agencies or medical databases could delay emergency treatment, interrupt humanitarian operations and place patients, healthcare workers and aid personnel in greater danger.
The organization stressed that healthcare services and humanitarian operations must remain protected during armed conflict in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
Children Increasingly Targeted Online
Another major concern highlighted by the ICRC is the growing use of digital technologies to recruit children into armed conflicts.
According to the report, armed groups are increasingly using online platforms, messaging applications and social media to manipulate, recruit and exploit children for military purposes.
The organization warned that the digital environment has become another battlefield where children face serious risks of exploitation.
Civilian Hackers Could Increase Humanitarian Risks
The ICRC also warned about the involvement of civilian hackers in armed conflicts.
While many may believe they are supporting one side in a conflict, the organization cautioned that cyber operations carried out by civilians could expose them to legal and security risks while also causing unintended humanitarian consequences for civilian populations.
The report noted that cyber attacks can spread far beyond their intended targets, affecting hospitals, businesses and other civilian infrastructure.
Technology Companies Have a Responsibility
The humanitarian organization further highlighted the important role of technology companies during armed conflicts.
It warned that companies providing digital products, software, cloud services or communication technologies to parties involved in conflicts should carefully assess the humanitarian consequences of their products and services.
According to the ICRC, decisions made by technology companies can directly influence the safety and wellbeing of civilians living in conflict zones.
Artificial Intelligence Raises New Concerns
The report also examined the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in ICT operations during armed conflict.
The ICRC warned that AI-powered technologies could increase the speed, scale and complexity of cyber operations, making attacks more difficult to predict and potentially increasing risks to civilian populations.
The organization called for the responsible development and use of AI technologies in line with international humanitarian law.
Warfare Entering a New Era
The ICRC said modern warfare is no longer confined to battlefields, with conflicts increasingly extending into digital networks that support essential civilian life.
As societies become more dependent on technology, cyber attacks can have humanitarian consequences comparable to attacks on physical infrastructure, disrupting hospitals, utilities, communications and emergency response systems.
CALL FOR STRONGER PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS
The ICRC urged states, parties to armed conflicts, technology companies and other stakeholders to ensure that digital technologies are not used in ways that increase civilian suffering.
The organization emphasized that existing international humanitarian law applies equally to cyber operations conducted during armed conflicts and that all parties have an obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
As armed conflicts continue to evolve in the digital age, the ICRC warned that safeguarding civilians will require not only protection from bombs and bullets, but also from invisible cyber threats capable of disrupting essential services, endangering healthcare, exploiting children and undermining humanitarian operations.
The organization said addressing these emerging digital risks is becoming increasingly important as technology continues to transform the conduct of modern warfare.