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.
In Kyrgyzstan an Uzbek farmer is killed by his Kyrgyz neighbor who reportedly attacks him over access to irrigation water.
Farmers returning to their land in northwestern Iraq after the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) find widespread devastation to agricultural land, livestock, and machinery, including water pumps, wells, pipes and generators. One assessment by the Iraq Food and Security Cluster Partnership notes that of the 450 deep wells, only 50 are still useable. Another assessment by Amnesty International details the destruction of wells on the properties of more than 30 different farmers from across the country.
The Pojom II hydroelectric project facilities are set on fire. This is one of three proposed hydroelectric projects in the northern Huehuetenango region of Guatemala that has been opposed by many of the local community.
Israeli warplanes hit water supply wells, pipelines, and wastewater treatment plants servicing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza region. Palestinian officials state that the attacks intentionally targeted the infrastructure, mounting a a war crime under the Geneva Protocol.
Attacks by Islamic militants on utilities cut water supply to Timbuktu, Mali. There are also reports that Malian forces carried out executions in the conflict area near the towns of Sevare, Mopti, and Niono with bodies being dumped in water wells.
Violence breaks out in the town of Yopal, Colombia, which has been without water for nearly two years following the destruction of a water treatment plant by a landslide. Demonstrations at government offices and offices of the water company lead to injuries and arrests.
Hundreds of farmers in the town of Varzaneh, in Iran’s Isfahan province, clash with police during a protest against the government’s decision to divert water from the area to another province. Iranian media say farmers smash a pipeline carrying water from Zayanderud river to neighboring Yazd province in an effort to prevent the water transfer. Dozens are reported injured and more arrested.
An acute water shortage in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India leads to fights among locals and one death. The government expresses concern about large-scale public unrest due to a severe drought and major water shortages.
The dwindling water supply from shared mountain springs leads to growing violence between Marzouh and Qaradh, Yemen. At least six deaths occur and many more are wounded in clashes since 2000. “Wherever in Yemen you see aquifers depleting, you have the worst conflicts,” said Abdul Rahman al-Eryani, former minister for water and environment, Yemen.