Title: International legal protection of water during armed conflict

Authors: Zouhaier Nouri; Walid Ben Salah; Nayel Musa AlOmran

Addresses: Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Tunis El Manar University, 2092, Tunisia ' Department of Legal Studies, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 19282, UAE ' Department of Legal Studies, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 19282, UAE

Abstract: The international legal protection granted to water during armed conflicts is of paramount importance in view of the dramatic humanitarian and environmental consequences of military actions targeting this vital resource. The insufficiency of the international legal framework protecting water during armed conflicts is examined in this paper. The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of the main relevant provisions of International Humanitarian Law, particularly those contained in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Key findings reveal significant gaps in the direct protection of water as a resource. In particular, the ambiguities of legal definitions and enforcement challenges are addressed.

Keywords: water protection; armed conflicts; civilians and water access; war and natural resources; conflict zones; military targeting; human rights law; environmental law.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2024.146746

International Journal of Water, 2024 Vol.16 No.4, pp.259 - 280

Received: 09 Oct 2024
Accepted: 22 Dec 2024
Published online: 16 Jun 2025 *

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