A senior international security adviser has warned that the growing trend of weaponising water resources during conflicts poses a serious threat to global stability and international norms. The statement comes amid rising concerns over the strategic control of rivers, dams, and water infrastructure in politically unstable regions.
Water security under threat
Speaking at a global security forum, the adviser emphasized that water should never be used as a tool of war or political pressure. “Weaponising water undermines international law, endangers civilians, and destabilises entire regions,” the adviser said. He added that controlling or cutting off access to water resources can have devastating humanitarian consequences, especially in conflict zones.
Water is essential for drinking, agriculture, energy production, and sanitation. Disrupting these resources can quickly lead to food insecurity, displacement, and the collapse of basic public health systems. Experts warn that in areas already facing climate stress, such tactics can turn local disputes into major security crises.
A growing global concern
In recent years, several conflicts have shown how water can be used as leverage during war. Dams and river systems have become strategic assets, and their control has often been contested. While international law prohibits targeting civilian infrastructure, enforcement remains weak in many regions.
The adviser highlighted that the issue is not limited to one part of the world. From the Middle East to parts of Africa and Asia, access to water has become a critical factor in military and political strategy. “When water is turned into a weapon, the impact spreads far beyond the battlefield,” he warned.
Call for stronger international safeguards
The adviser urged governments and international organisations to strengthen legal protections for water infrastructure. He also called for the creation of rapid response mechanisms to prevent water-related crises from escalating during conflicts.
“International law must be upheld, and countries must be held accountable for any deliberate actions that deny civilians access to water,” he said. “We need stronger monitoring, faster diplomatic engagement, and humanitarian corridors to ensure people are not caught in the middle of water conflicts.”
Humanitarian agencies have also voiced concern about the growing number of cases where communities face water shortages due to deliberate blockades or attacks. Such situations, they warn, can lead to mass migration, economic breakdown, and long-term instability.
Link to climate change and resource competition
Climate change has further intensified the risks surrounding water security. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increasing droughts are putting pressure on shared water systems around the world. As resources become scarcer, the temptation to use water as a political tool may grow.
Experts say that without stronger cooperation agreements and crisis-prevention mechanisms, these tensions could easily escalate into broader conflicts.
A warning for the future
The adviser concluded by stressing that water must remain a protected resource, not a weapon. “The weaponisation of water is an attack on human dignity and international norms,” he said. “If the world fails to act now, future conflicts could be shaped as much by access to water as by territorial disputes.”
He called for urgent global cooperation to preserve water security and protect vulnerable populations.