Afghanistan‘s Taliban rulers have sent military equipment to the border with Iran amid a water-sharing dispute that led to an exchange of fire last week.
Iran has accused the Taliban of violating a 1973 treaty by withholding water from Iran’s Sistan basin. The Taliban, however, has attributed the reduced flow to consecutive droughts in the region.
Referring to firing between Iranian forces and the Taliban on May 27 over the flow of Helmand river water, Admad, a resident who did not wish to reveal his full name told The National: “A caravan of military equipment was moved to Islam Qala last week after the clashes in Nimruz province”.
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Iran and Afghanistan face off over sharing Helmand waters
The heavy exchange of fire led to several deaths and injuries on both sides, according to official statements from Iran and Afghanistan.
“There is no fighting now, but they [military vehicles] are still in Islam Qala,” Ahmad said. “The border was closed for a few days after the clashes. No one was allowed to pass, not even passport holders.”
Several videos on social media showed a large convoy of armoured vehicles, as well as heavy weapons that were left behind by the withdrawing US forces, being moved across provinces.
Local media also reported that the Taliban had ordered the removal of fuel trucks from the Islam Qala and Dogharon border areas.
Many of the military vehicles were in poor condition, Ahmad said, “Some of these rangers and tanks were rusted in parts, some damaged. They were all vehicles used by Afghan army and the Americans,”
“Some of the Taliban members were sitting on the tanks and taking videos with their phones. Others were cheering and chanting. It was complete madness. I was terrified,” he said.
The war posturing between the two western-sanctioned regimes has raised concerns fears of another conflict in the war-ravaged region.
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