The battle for oil in Iraq is now impacting the survival systems of people throughout the planet. The conflict has been escalated dramatically by all of the leaders who have begun attacking facilities used not only for military purposes but also for the necessities of all people. The U.S. has ramped up its rhetoric against Iran, including President Trump making direct threats to destroy parts of Iran’s critical national infrastructures, including energy grids and water systems. We have already seen attacks occurring against a number of these necessary facilities. As such, there is an increasing risk to both desalination plants and potable water distribution systems.
This change in war tactics represents a new way of fighting, where civilians directly affected by their lack of access to water systems will be targeted. Thus, any disruption to these facilities will pose a serious risk to the humane well-being of every person living in the Gulf countries who relies on them. This battle in Iraq involves more than just oil and killing military personnel; it threatens the very survival of the individuals who live in the region by directly threatening the foundational “survival” systems of all of the individuals who live in the region.
Trump escalates rhetoric as conflict widens across the infrastructure
Iran was told by Trump to comply with U.S. demands quickly. He threatened to destroy oil, energy, and water assets. In addition, he also linked the escalation of the conflict with access to the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, Iran has continued retaliatory strikes within the region. Attacks have specifically targeted U.S.-related infrastructure and U.S.-owned assets in Kuwait, which reported recently that there were strikes on desalination facilities, but Iran denied responsibility for those attacks, rather than blaming Israel for targeting water infrastructure instead. This reflects the continued growing confusion in the conflict. Furthermore, regional countries are now facing increasingly growing vulnerability, since many countries are almost solely dependent on desalination systems. Thus, they face the risk of being cut off from a source of drinking water if attacked.
Water infrastructure emerges as a critical and vulnerable war target
Analysts are warning today that water systems are at the greatest level of risk. Most of the drinking water in Gulf States comes from desalination plants, and Kuwait depends on these plants for approximately 90% of its drinking water supply. Bluntly stated, Oman and Saudi Arabia depend heavily on desalination plants as well. The vast majority of desalination plants are directly linked to the power grid; therefore, if the energy grid is attacked, the ability to produce water is greatly diminished. Experts believe that this type of approach is an asymmetrical pressure strategy that places pressure on those in the region to pursue de-escalation.
The conflict in question is now clearly breaching international humanitarian norms. International law prohibits targeting civilian survival infrastructure. However, repeated incidents indicate that the boundaries of such laws are becoming increasingly fragile. Therefore, this conflict raises very serious legal and ethical issues, and laws are being violated globally. War infrastructure targeting highlights a dangerous shift where conflicts increasingly threaten civilian survival systems and global stability.
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