{"id":7528,"date":"2026-03-23T17:11:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intraders.org\/news\/?p=7528"},"modified":"2026-03-23T17:11:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T15:11:50","slug":"water-at-war-the-strategic-vulnerability-of-middle-east-desalination-in-ongoing-conflicts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intraders.org\/news\/ot\/water-at-war-the-strategic-vulnerability-of-middle-east-desalination-in-ongoing-conflicts\/","title":{"rendered":"Water at War: The Strategic Vulnerability of Middle East Desalination in Ongoing Conflicts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Seeing America’s 48-hour deadline\u2014perhaps a bluff, perhaps a challenge\u2014Iran responded with a counter-offer, warning the countries it has attacked and declared enemies in the region: “Charge your phones, stock up on water, because we are going to strike.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Middle East is a region frequently in the global spotlight for its oil reserves and geopolitical tensions. Yet, amidst ongoing conflicts, an even more critical and life-sustaining resource\u2014water<\/strong>\u2014faces significant risk. In this arid region, millions of people rely heavily on desalination plants<\/strong> to supply potable water. In a war scenario, the destruction or disruption of these facilities could lead to an immediate humanitarian crisis with consequences that could extend far beyond national borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desalination Plants Under Threat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During conflicts in the Middle East, infrastructure can be targeted, either intentionally or inadvertently. Damage to salt processing plants along the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Gulf of Oman could have a chain reaction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Rapid Water Shortages<\/strong>: Many cities rely almost entirely on desalinated water. Loss of operational capacity could result in severe water shortages within 24\u201372 hours<\/strong>, leaving millions without access to drinking water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Humanitarian Crises<\/strong>: Hospitals, sanitation systems, and food production depend on water. A sudden disruption could paralyse urban life, putting public health at immediate risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Mass Migration<\/strong>: With water scarcity, populations may be forced to move towards areas where water is already available. This could create regional “water refugees\/migrants”. It could also worsen existing refugee crises in neighbouring countries, including parts of Turkey and Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Industrial and Energy Impacts<\/strong>: Desalinated water is also critical for cooling and process water in energy and industrial sectors. A compromised plant could disrupt oil refineries, power stations, and industrial production, compounding the crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Cities Most Vulnerable to Water Shortages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some major cities in the region are particularly dependent on desalination plants. In the event of plant failures, the following cities could experience critical water shortages within 24 hours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Kuwait City, Kuwait<\/strong> \u2013 Almost all of its drinking water comes from desalination plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Dubai, UAE<\/strong> \u2013 95% of its water comes from desalination plants, primarily from the Jebel Ali Plant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Abu Dhabi, UAE<\/strong> \u2013 Heavily dependent on Ruwais and other plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Doha, Qatar <\/strong>\u2013 99% of its drinking water comes from desalination plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Manama, Bahrain<\/strong> \u2013 An island nation with virtually no natural freshwater sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia <\/strong>\u2013 Reliant on onshore desalination plants, especially during periods of high demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia<\/strong> \u2013 Water is supplied from the Ras Al-Khair Plant via long-distance pipelines offshore.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      These cities represent the most urgently threatened population centres in the region. Any prolonged disruption could plunge them into a full-blown water crisis within days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Six Mega Desalination Plants Controlling Middle Eastern Water<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The region\u2019s water security relies on a few large-scale<\/strong><\/span> desalination plants<\/strong>. Their strategic importance cannot be overstated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia<\/strong> \u2013 The world\u2019s largest combined thermal and reverse osmosis plant, producing over 1,025,000 m\u00b3\/day for Riyadh and Eastern Province cities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE<\/strong> \u2013 Supplies nearly all of Dubai\u2019s potable water, producing 300\u2013400,000 m\u00b3\/day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Hidd, Manama, Bahrain<\/strong> \u2013 Produces 265,000 m\u00b3\/day, supplying the island nation\u2019s capital.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, UAE<\/strong> \u2013 The second largest in Abu Dhabi, producing ~200,000 m\u00b3\/day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Shuaiba, Kuwait City, Kuwait<\/strong> \u2013 Provides over 50% of Kuwait City\u2019s potable water, 210,000 m\u00b3\/day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Israel<\/strong> \u2013 Produces 330,000 m\u00b3\/day, accounting for 15\u201320% of national water consumption.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        If these facilities are targeted or incapacitated, the consequences would extend beyond individual cities<\/strong>, potentially destabilising entire regions and even affecting neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Strategic Implications in the Context of War<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Unlike oil, water cannot be stockpiled on a massive scale. Desalinated water is immediately vital for life, industry, and energy production<\/strong>. In the ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts, the vulnerability of desalination plants introduces a new dimension:<\/p>\n\n\n\n