Uzbekistani troops guard reservoirs along border

In Iraq, Islamic State blocks access to water in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (also known as Bakhdida), take over farms and agricultural land, and expel most of the 50,000 residents.

Following the capture of Ramadi Dam, the Islamic State cuts water for irrigation systems and treatment plants in the predominantly Shiite downstream provinces of Babil, Karbala, Najaf and Qadisiya, threatening Iraqi food production.

Russian Federation forces bomb the al-Khafsa water treatment facility in the city of Aleppo, reportedly mistaking it for an oil production facility. The treatment plant draws water from the Euphrates River and is called “one of the most important in Syria, producing an average of 18 million litres of drinking water daily.” According to UNICEF, “The bombing caused severe damage and cut off piped water supplies on which approximately 3.5 million people depend.” Water pumping operations have since been partially…

During the US-led invasion of Iraq, water systems are reportedly damaged or destroyed by different parties, and major dams are military objectives of the US forces. Damage directly attributable to the war includes vast segments of the water distribution system and the Baghdad water system, damaged by a missile.

Islamic State deliberately contaminates drinking water with crude oil in the Balad district of the Salahaddin Governorate. Poisoned water supplies are also reported from Aleppo, Deir ez Zor, Raqqa, and Baghdad.