Syria conflict: The biblical river at the heart of a water war

Source: Syria conflict: The biblical river at the heart of a water war

The Barada river runs through the heart of Damascus The flashpoint for Syria’s war, six years old this March, has in recent days taken the form of an elemental struggle over water. The drinking water supply to some 5 million residents in the Syrian capital, Damascus, was cut on 23 December by the Damascus Water Authority, who say rebels have contaminated it with diesel. Rebels deny this, saying bombing by the government has damaged the infrastructure. The historic water source of Ain al-Fijeh lies in the valley of Wadi Barada, 18km (11 miles) north-west of the capital, where a […]