Water In The Middle East

Even after defeat of IS, the entire region continues to face water crisis due to lots of unsolved disputes.

- Nandini Jha

With less than 1 per cent of the water harmonised for the survival of mankind, it is taking over oil as a reason as well as weapon of war. When this uncontrollable water starts getting controlled, there rise of rebels takes place. But the most affected is the Middle-Eastern regions.

100.82 miles long, having two access canals of 14 miles and 5.6 miles, the Suez Canal, which is a manmade water body between Europe and Africa and is one of the vital freshwater sources for Israelis and Palestinians.

The longest river in the world, Nile also flows through Egypt. The Euphrates River, ending its journey in the Persian Gulf flows through Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

The Shatt al Arab River, in concoction with Tigris accrues in Persian Gulf.

Hydro-terrorism in Iraq and syria

Hydro-terrorism, a form of terrorism in which water is the tool or the target especially in water-scarce regions.

On 7 August 2014, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) took over Mosul dam of Iraq and the control of the lifeline of civilians leading to dried taps and inevitable thirst. People started migrating for survival leaving approximately 600,000 residents remaining in the city of Mosul, Iraq.

The issue became more decisive because the Islamic State doesn’t seem to manage water works along the Tigris and Euphrates with entailed accomplishment.

According to reports, Iraqi engineers have already exhorted the brewing risk of its subsidence and the situation could be more disastrous than expected. They pointed out that pressure on the dam’s compromised structure was building up rapidly as winter snows melted and more water flowed into the reservoir, bringing it up to its maximum capacity.

According to engineers and officials of Mosul dam, it needs regular checking and overhaul and absence of which could result in collapsing of the dam and extermination of tens of thousands of people.