According to local reports dated March 31, 2026, airstrikes attributed to the United States and Israel targeted water transfer infrastructure along the Naft-Shahr road in Qasr-e Shirin district, Kermanshah province. The attack destroyed administrative and technical buildings as well as equipment belonging to a contracting firm involved in the “Tropical Water System” project. Consequently, one civilian employee was killed, and eight others were injured. Under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), these facilities are categorized as “Civilian Infrastructure” with no documented military utility.
Violations of Fundamental Principles of the Law of Armed Conflict
Targeting the Qasr-e Shirin water project constitutes an explicit breach of international treaties based on the following pillars:
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Violation of the Principle of Distinction: Pursuant to Article 48 of Additional Protocol I (1977), parties to a conflict are required to strictly distinguish between military objectives and civilian objects. Targeting a water supply contracting firm is a deliberate departure from this legal obligation.
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Immunity of Civilian Infrastructure (Article 52 of the Additional Protocol): This article prohibits any attack or reprisal against civilian objects. Water supply facilities, due to their direct link to the survival of the civilian population, enjoy special protection.
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Prohibition of Attacks on Civilians (Article 51): Directly targeting technical and administrative personnel who take no part in hostilities is a violation of the inherent right to life and IHL protective rules.
Assessment within the Framework of International Criminal Law
According to Article 8 of the Rome Statute (International Criminal Court – ICC), specifically under paragraph 2 (b) (i) and (ii), intentional attacks against the civilian population or civilian objects which are not military objectives are classified as “War Crimes.” The destruction of water transfer equipment intended to meet the essential needs of the region is a definitive example of targeting protected property.
Legal Conclusion
The attack on the Qasr-e Shirin water transfer facilities, given the civilian nature of the target and its personnel, is a flagrant violation of the four Geneva Conventions. Under the doctrine of “State Responsibility,” the acting states are legally obligated to provide accountability for the deprivation of life of the personnel and to compensate for the damages inflicted upon the critical infrastructure of Kermanshah province.
