Abstract:

The importance of freshwater and water infrastructure to human and ecosystem’s health and to the smooth functioning of a commercial and industrial economy makes water and water systems become a target for terrorism. Hydroterrorism defines terrorism, where water is a tool or target, and nowadays is intensifying in water– scarce countries. Hydroterrorism also poses a major threat, in addition to the current climatic, economic, social and political challenges, especially for countries that already have poor management or have security challenges in transboundary river basins. The effects of environmental terrorism such as hydroterrorism are more devastating than the acts of civilian terrorism. Due to a threat to water resources which are common areas of use for all people, can partially or completely affect the large populations and all living things in the area where the damage occurs. Moreover; the effects of the disaster that emerged after hydroterrorism are also seen in the long term. Growing attacks on water resources around the World, specifically in the Middle East, show that water systems are vulnerable to both physical and cyber attacks with affect infrastructure, Damage to the nation’s water supply and/or water quality by terrorist attack could threat public health, and the environment. In this study, hydroterrorism is explained with pertinent examples, and presented some offers for this threat that is an often- overlooked national security issue. As a result; it is obvious that a direct or indirect attack on water resorce systems, which are the input of almost all production, such as agriculture, industry, energy, is acause of concern. Hovewer, it should never be neglected that water wars, which are being pronounced today, are always in the realm of possibility.

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