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The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has reached a perilous new phase, with crucial desalination facilities—the primary source of drinking water for millions—becoming direct targets of military strikes. Recent assaults on these vital infrastructures reflect a dangerous evolution in warfare, where access to water, an essential resource in one of the world’s driest regions, has turned into a weapon of choice. As tensions escalate, experts warn that the implications for civilian populations could be catastrophic.
A New Front in Warfare: Water Infrastructure Under Attack
Over the past weekend, hostilities intensified as both Iranian forces and their opponents struck desalination plants, critical lifelines for nations across the Arabian Peninsula. Bahrain accused Iran of deploying drones to damage one of its facilities, while Iran alleged that the United States had targeted a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, disrupting water supplies to thirty villages. This marked the first instance where such water infrastructures were intentionally attacked, rather than collateral damage in broader military operations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, condemned the U.S. actions, asserting that they set a dangerous precedent. “The US committed a blatant and desperate crime by attacking a freshwater desalination plant,” he stated on social media. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the significance of the incident, suggesting that the focus should remain on more severe allegations against Iran.
The Fragility of Water Supplies in the Gulf
The geographical context of the Middle East complicates the situation further. With a mere two per cent of the world’s renewable freshwater resources, the region is home to rapidly expanding urban centres that rely heavily on desalination. Countries like Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates obtain approximately 90 per cent of their drinking water from these facilities, while Oman and Saudi Arabia derive 86 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively.
Experts have long recognised that these desalination plants are inherently vulnerable. Lalit Mohan, a water management consultant, highlighted the interconnectedness of water production and power supply, noting that any damage could halt water delivery completely. Ed Cullinane, Middle East editor at Global Water Intelligence, emphasised that these facilities are exposed to the same threats as other civilian infrastructures, making them easy targets in ongoing hostilities.
Cyber Threats and Long-term Water Security Challenges
The threats to water infrastructure are not confined to physical attacks. Iran has a history of employing cyber tactics against water systems, including infiltrating a dam control system in New York and interfering with various U.S. water treatment facilities in recent years. David Michel, a senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, warned that such cyberattacks could easily extend to Gulf desalination plants, exploiting the element of plausible deniability.
Despite recognising these vulnerabilities, Gulf states have struggled to bolster the security of their water supplies. While emergency storage exists, a significant attack on any single plant could cripple entire water distribution networks. Historical assessments, including a 2008 U.S. State Department cable, underscored the urgency of this issue, predicting mass evacuations if Riyadh’s main desalination plant were compromised.
The Broader Implications of Targeting Civilian Infrastructure
Attacking civilian infrastructure raises pressing questions concerning compliance with international humanitarian law. Dr Evelyne Schmid, a professor of international law, stated unequivocally that desalination plants are civilian objects that must not be targeted. “Doing so is a serious violation of international law,” she asserted, highlighting the necessity for investigations into such incidents.
However, from a strategic perspective, attacking water infrastructure may offer Iran a more targeted approach to warfare, as opposed to broader actions like blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which would impact the global community. Michel noted that targeting desalination plants could apply pressure on civilian populations, potentially igniting calls for ceasefires as communities grapple with water shortages.
Why it Matters
The shift in conflict dynamics towards targeting essential water supplies poses an existential threat to populations in the Middle East. With the region’s water scarcity already a critical concern, these recent developments underscore the precarious nature of civilian infrastructure amidst ongoing hostilities. The potential for humanitarian crises looms large, as access to clean water becomes an increasingly contentious and weaponized resource in the theatre of war. As this situation unfolds, the international community must grapple with the implications of such tactics and the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard vital civilian infrastructures.
