Clashes on Iran-Afghanistan border erupt, shells reportedly used

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 May 2023 18:23

No casualties were reported by the Iranian police due to the incident.

Aerial view of the disputed Helmand River. (AFP)

Gunfire and shells were heard on Saturday at the Afghan-Iranian borders where a water dispute has been ongoing for several months between the two parties.

No casualties were reported by the Iranian police. Reports did however say that a wide range of weapons and ammo were employed in the altercations.

"Around 10:00 am today, Taliban forces started shooting with all kinds of weapons at an Iranian police station from the Afghanistan side," state news agency IRNA quoted the deputy head of the police force, Qassem Rezaee, as saying.

Tasnim news agency reported that "light and semi-light weapons and artillery were used in the clashes".

According to Rezaee, Iranian law enforcement responded "decisively" to the shooting which occurred in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan, adding that the police chief issued the order for border guards to "bravely and resolutely defend the borders and not allow anyone to trespass or approach the borders".

⚡️exchange of fire between Taliban and the Iranian border guards pic.twitter.com/PLRXJ55tpJ
— Iran Observer (@Iranobserver01) May 27, 2023

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran does not recognize the current government in Afghanistan and called for the formation of an all-inclusive ruling system.

Touching on the recent debate over Iran's share in Helmand River, the top diplomat noted that talks with the Aghan authorities took place, adding that "we believe that according to the 1951 Treaty, a legal route should be followed in this regard."

A week ago, Iran urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government to allow expert visits to the dam built on the border Hirmand (Helmand) river over claims by the Taliban that it does not have enough water to supply and share with Iran.

This came after Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Sistan and Baluchistan Province on May 18 where he said that the Taliban hasn't allowed Iranian experts to investigate the matter.

On that same day, President Ebrahim Raisi said warned the Taliban "to immediately give the people of Sistan-Baluchistan their water rights."

The Helmand River flows from the mountains of the central Afghan province of the same name for more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) into Lake Hamoun, which straddles the Afghanistan-Iran border.

Afghanistan authorities said that climatic factors were to account for reduced river volumes.

In 1973, the two countries signed a treaty to regulate each party's use of the river.

As per the treatment, Iran is to receive an annual share of 820 million cubic meters from Hirmand. Afghanistan's violation of this clause has exposed the lives of several Iranians to the risk of drought as civilians rely heavily on the river for drinking water, agriculture, and fishing.

The construction of many hydroelectric projects on the river, including the important Kamal Khan Dam in Afghanistan's Nimrouz province, and the Kajaki Dam 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Kandahar province, has caused a major rift between them.