Euphrates River: Why shared water resources could become a source of conflict between nations of the Arab region

Updated 22 March 2024 JUMANA KHAMIS  March 21, 202422:12

DUBAI: Water scarcity and mismanagement are pressing global issues, made worse by a warming climate which is depleting the world’s freshwater sources at an alarming rate. Despite this, international cooperation on water security has been left wanting. More than three billion people depend on water that originates outside their national boundaries, yet just 24 countries have cooperation agreements in place on their shared water resources. 

Transboundary water resources make up 60 percent of the world’s fresh water. Some 153 countries contain at least one of the world’s 310 transboundary rivers and lakes, as well as 468 inventoried transboundary aquifer systems, according to the UN. As climate change depletes these resources, water could become a major source of conflict between nations in the years to come.

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Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck

Revelation 8:10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched

Revelation 16:8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

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“Some of the most prolonged conflicts in the Middle East include poor transboundary relationships,” Alicia Dauth, a senior consultant and member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, told Arab News. “Unfortunately this can cause armed conflict, exasperating tensions and displacement of a country’s people and water resources.”

Historically, water conflicts arise when two or more countries fail to collaborate or jointly manage a shared water source, be it on the surface, like a river, or underground, such as an aquifer. Instead, said Dauth, they prioritize their individual social and economic interests, disregarding collective welfare, leading to long-term tensions.

“Water cooperation is an approach which the International Centre for Water Cooperation refers to as their method to address transboundary management for shared water resources. This can be done through formalized frameworks and joint institutions,” she said. Negotiations involving Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) exemplify the difficulties associated with effective management of shared water resources.

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The large hydropower project located near the Ethiopian-Sudanese border on the Blue Nile has become a significant source of tension among regional states. Downstream nations like Egypt are particularly concerned about the impact on their water supply.

Water scarcity is a common problem across the Middle East and North Africa region, owing to high summer temperatures and low rainfall.  Jonathan Hirasawa Ashton, Middle East spokesperson for industrial supplier KROHNE Group, believes the issue calls for closer cooperation between states combined with new technology and greater public awareness

“The water crisis, exacerbated by climate change, mismanagement and geopolitical tensions, requires an urgent, multifaceted response that leverages technological innovation, international cooperation and a culture of conservation,” Ashton told Arab News.

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Failure to address the shared problem of water shortages could harm the region’s economic development, public health, and stability. “The Middle East, rich in history but arid by nature with 11 of the 17 worst affected countries in the MENA region, faces dire consequences if its water scarcity issues remain unaddressed,” said Ashton.According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Middle East is one of the most water-scarce regions in the world with average annual water resources per capita at 550 cubic meters. 

“This is half the 1,000 cubic meters per capita threshold for water scarcity according to the UN’s Water Stress Index,” Helen Bali, head of water for the environmental consultancy WSP Middle East, told Arab News.

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“Climate change is expected to exacerbate this situation, and the Middle East is anticipated to be one of the regions most affected by any increases of heat and water stress associated with climate change.” Bali believes that promoting greater transboundary water cooperation among countries that share water resources is crucial for protection and conservation. 

Fortifying water security requires a comprehensive approach which includes governance of water resources, infrastructure development for water transmission and distribution, tariff reform, and addressing non-revenue water that goes unaccounted for, she said. “This can involve establishing joint institutions, mechanisms and agreements for water management, monitoring, and sharing, based on the principles of international law and mutual benefit,” she added. 

Bali warns that a spike in temperatures will influence climate patterns and could trigger reductions in net rainfall across the region. At the same time, the region’s projected population growth will increase existing pressures. “Under these conditions, fossil aquifers will be further depleted, meaning they are yielding less and less water in proportion to the populations they serve,” said Bali.

Measures to address this might include “the implementation of sustainable extraction practices, the promotion of water conservation, and the use of modern technologies for efficient water use and management,” she added.

Acknowledging the pressing need to tackle water scarcity ahead of the 11th World Water Forum to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, the Kingdom has established the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh.

This initiative aims to collaborate with governments and organizations worldwide to tackle water challenges. It also seeks to facilitate the exchange of expertise, promote technological advancements, encourage innovation, and share research to achieve sustainability. Another initiative proposed by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is the installation of low-level underground dams on wadis and the diversion of their water into aquifers for future use. 

The Green Environmental Dragon of the Beast’s Kingdom. Who Can Make War With His Climate Agenda?

“Rain is scarce in Saudi Arabia, and when rain does come the water is frequently not fully captured,” said Bali. “One solution to regenerating water resources in depleted aquifers is to expand upon this initiative.”

New technologies could be leveraged in cities to ensure water is sufficiently cleaned to avoid aquifer contamination, while measures can be implemented to boost rainwater harvesting and to make it mandatory for stormwater tanks to focus on replenishing aquifers. “Recycled water needs to be considered as valuable as potable water,” said Bali. “The associated increases in available recycled water can then be used in more industrial uses such as district cooling, manufacturing, and to irrigate crops that are not intended for human consumption.” 

With the majority of water usage in Saudi Arabia allocated to agriculture and the country’s expanding green spaces, there is a pressing need to prioritize the use of native drought-tolerant plants. 

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Additionally, finding alternatives to cultivating water-intensive crops is crucial to maintaining the nation’s food security aspirations while conserving water resources. “Using irrigation systems that utilize modern technologies, such as moisture monitoring, can help the Kingdom mitigate water loss in farming activities,” said Bali.

On an individual level, everyone can play a part in reducing water consumption and waste management. “Water is a valuable and irreplaceable essential resource and yet we have forgotten the extensive efforts it takes to get that water to our taps, not to mention embedded water,” said Dauth.  “Everyone’s water footprint counts.”

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Armageddon

https://www.brighteon.com/1c3be68b-284e-4921-89b5-6ee6b423b996

(5) The Beast, Antichrist WILL Lead (7) the ‘Kings of the East’ to Armageddon:

Paul Rolland | Night Watchman | Night Watchman Ministries | MbS and Armageddon

Paul Rolland | Night Watchman | Night Watchman Ministries | MbS and the Kings of the East

(7) This is John’s description of nuclear holocaust.

“The earth rolls up like a scroll,” is obviously a reference, from a first-century perspective, of what nuclear explosions will look like. In a nuclear explosion, the atmosphere literally rolls back on itself. A tremendous rush of air flows outward from the initial explosion creating a tremendous vacuum. It is the air flowing back into the vacuum which creates such destruction.

He writes, “Stars fell to earth.” The Greek word “stars” here describes a meteor. Meteors strike the atmosphere and glow fiery red. When they hit the earth, they pulverize dirt and other materials that remain in the atmosphere, shutting out the sun, for two or more years.

Nuclear winter results. No sunshine equals no crops. People starve.

His description may also apply to today’s “fractional orbital bombs.” Nuclear-tipped missiles are fired simultaneously from orbiting satellites. These can strike several cities simultaneously. When these missiles streak through the air, they’ll look like meteors entering the atmosphere.

Look at the human reaction.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17)

Every strata of society is affected.

The greatest prayer meeting the world has ever seen takes place. You’d think that those who endured these things would finally call upon the name of the Lord. Instead, they begin praying to the rocks.

The Sixth Seal Is a Nuclear Holocaust

(7) I watched as he opened the sixth (7) seal. There was a great earthquake. The (7) sun turned black like sackcloth made of (7) goat hair, the whole moon turned blood (7) red, and the stars in the sky (7) fell to earth, as late figs drop (7) from a fig tree when shaken by (7) a strong wind. The sky receded like (7) a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain (7) and island was removed from its place. (Revelation 6:12-14)

(7777777777) 10×7. Ten (10) is God’s Divine Number (7) denoting ‘Allness or Physical Completion’ as to (7) things on Earth. In essence, God is (7) saying ‘it is done, finished, the last (7) major ‘event’ on earth. Armageddon signals the (7) end of God’s physical wrath on Earth, (7) signaling the end of the Tribulation as (7) Jesus Christ has triumphed over his physical (7) enemies on Earth. All the ‘events’ indicated (7) in these 10 verses describe PHYSICAL effects on (7) Earth, caused by the war of Armageddon. (7) ‘IT IS NOW DONE, FINISHED ON EARTH.’

Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel (7) poured out his vial upon the great (7) river Euphrates; and the water thereof was (7) dried up, that the way of the (7) kings of the east might be prepared. (7777)                                                                                

13 And I saw (5) three unclean spirits like frogs come out of (5) the mouth of the dragon, and out of (5) the mouth of the beast, and out of the (5) mouth of the false prophet.

(5555) 4×5. Five (5), (7) is God’s Divine Number denoting satanic influence (7) or behavior over evil man or man’kind. Four (4) is God’s Divine Number for ‘balance or symmetry or equality’. The demonic ‘spirits’, the dragon, the beast, the false prophet = four (4) entities.

(7) All four entities are therefore equally evil. All four ‘entities’ (7) act in unison to deceive man’kind in (7) order to start the war of Armageddon. (777)

14 For (7) they are the spirits of devils, working (7) miracles, which go forth unto the kings (7) of the earth and of the whole (7) world, to gather them to the battle (7) of that great day of God Almighty. (77777)

16 (7) And he gathered them together into a (7) place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (77)

Zechariah 14:12 And this shall be the (7) plague wherewith the Lord will smite all (7) the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their (7) flesh shall consume away while they stand (7) upon their feet, and their eyes shall (7) consume away in their holes, and their (7) tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

(777777) 6×7. Six (6) is God’s Divine Number denoting evil man or man’kind. 6 = the Beast/Antichrist, 6 = the False Prophet, 6 = Evil man’kind. (666)

Matthew 24:21. For then shall (7) be great tribulation, such as was not (7) since the beginning of the world to (7) this time, no, nor ever shall be. (777)

Matthew 24:22 (7) And unless those days were shortened, no (7) flesh would be saved; but for the (7) elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (777)

Mark 13:20 And unless the Lord (7) had shortened those days, no flesh would (7) be saved; but for the elect’s sake, (7) whom He chose, He shortened the days. (777)

(6) “And I saw the beast and (7) the kings of the earth with their (7) armies gathered to make war against him (7) who was sitting on the horse and (7) against his army. And the beast (7) was captured, and with it the false (7) prophet who in its presence had done (7) the signs by which he deceived those (7) who had received the mark of the (7) beast and those who worshiped its image. (7) These two were thrown alive into the (7) lake of fire that burns with sulfur” (Revelation 19:19-20).

(77777777777) 11×7. (7) Eleven (11) is God’s Divine Number denoting ‘WARNING!’. This is what (7) is going to happen to evil man’kind.

(6) “I will also gather all nations, (7) and will bring them down into the (7) valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with (7) them there for my people and for (7) my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered (7) among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2). (77777)

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In His Service,

Night Watchman

Paul Rolland

Night Watchman Ministries

Make Your (7) Decision for Christ NOW!!!!!!! Time is Up!!!!!!!

Jesus Christ’s Offer of Salvation:

The ABCs (7) of Salvation through Jesus Christ (the Lamb)

1. (7) Admit/Acknowledge/Accept that you are sinner. Ask (7) God’s forgiveness and repent of your sins.

. . . “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).

. . . “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

B. Believe Jesus is Lord. Believe that (7) Jesus Christ is who He claimed to (7) be; that He was both fully God (7) and fully man and that we are (7) saved through His death, burial, and resurrection. (7) Put your trust in Him as your (7) only hope of salvation. Become a son (7) or daughter of God by receiving Christ. (7777777) 7×7

. . . “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:15-17). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

C. Call upon His name, Confess (7) with your heart and with your lips (7) that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

. . . “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).

. . . “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (John 1:8-10).

. . . “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (John 2:2).

. . . “In this was manifested the love of god toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:9, 14-15).

. . . “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10).

. . . “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

. . . “Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6).

. . . “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16).

. . . “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts: 4:12).

. . . “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

. . . “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

. . . “But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12).

True Church / Bride of Christ Spared from God’s Wrath:

 Romans 5:8-10. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Romans 12:19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 8:35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Jeremiah 30:7. Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.