In times of drought, water is particularly precious and can lead to armed conflict. Between Iran and Afghanistan, tension has increased in recent days over the distribution of water from the Helmand River, a dam built in Afghanistan limiting the flow of water to Iran. Two people were killed Saturday in an exchange of fire between Iranian and Taliban forces on the border between the two countries. Both sides accuse each other of firing first.
Border tensions
"During the clash, one person was killed on each side and several were wounded," Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafy Takor said on his Twitter account, adding that his government "does not want war with its neighbor."
On Saturday morning, "Taliban forces started firing all kinds of weapons at an Iranian police station from Afghan territory," Iranian deputy police commander Gen. Ghassem Rezai was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. The police responded to the shooting, which occurred on the edge of Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran. "After the confrontation began ... the police chief ordered the border guards ... to prevent anyone from approaching the border," General Rezaï added.
Water, a source of fighting
Iran, which shares a border of more than 900 km with Afghanistan, does not recognize the government formed by the Taliban. Tehran recently warned that it "reserves" the right to take measures to capture water from Helmand, which originates in central Afghanistan and irrigates large farmlands in southeastern Iran. "Tehran accuses Kabul of violating an agreement dating back to 1973, governing the flow of the Helmand River, a vital source of water" while Afghanistan denies the accusations, France Inter said.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was "determined to fulfill its obligations" but that "inappropriate statements" made by Iran could damage ties between the two countries.
- World
- Iran
- Taliban
- Drought