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Iran and Afghanistan clash violently over water rights
Iranian forces and the Talibann engaged in a fierce firefight along the border between Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan provinces and Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. The exchange of heavy gunfire resulted in casualties and injuries on both sides, further intensifying rising tensions between the two countries over water rights.
According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, Iran’s deputy police chief, accused the Taliban of initiating the attack early Saturday morning. IRNA reported “heavy casualties and serious damage” inflicted by Iran in response to the Taliban’s alleged aggression.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING:<br><br>The Taliban are pulling serious forces toward Islam-Qala.<br><br>Meanwhile, Iran is pulling out some of its border guards from there, fearing a Taliban attack.<br><br>This comes after the recent deadly border clashes between Iran & Afghanistan<br><br>🇮🇷🇦🇫 <a href="https://t.co/6colNIItwn">pic.twitter.com/6colNIItwn</a></p>— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) <a href="https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1663892465055682562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
However, the Taliban’s perspective differs, with Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor claiming that Iran fired the first shots, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The clash occurred amidst an ongoing dispute between Iran and the Taliban over water rights, specifically concerning the Helmand River. The water scarcity issue has plagued Iran for years, but it has worsened in recent times, with approximately 97% of the country currently facing some level of drought, as per the Iran Meteorological Organization.
In a statement, the Iranian police chief, Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, vowed a decisive response to any border trespassing and aggression, holding the authorities of Afghanistan accountable for their actions. He emphasized the need to resolve issues through dialogue, as reported by IRNA.
The incident follows a meeting between the Taliban’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and an Iranian envoy to Afghanistan to discuss the Helmand River water rights. Afghan Foreign Ministry official Zia Ahmad confirmed the meeting via Twitter. While Iran has maintained relations with the new Taliban rulers, tensions have been mounting.
Videos posted online have added to the tensions, purportedly showing Iranian forces and the Taliban in standoffs along the border. In some videos, Iranian construction workers are seen reinforcing the border, leading to confrontations with Taliban fighters.
These videos, along with pro-Taliban accounts online sharing songs urging defiance against Iran, highlight the underlying tensions and conflicting interests at play.
The water dispute and escalating tensions between Iran and the Taliban underscore the need for diplomatic efforts and a sustainable resolution. Collaborative dialogue among all stakeholders is crucial to address the challenges posed by water scarcity and to ensure the well-being of affected populations.
