Haiyang He, Andi Luo & Fang Luo
Recently, there was a border conflict between Iran and Afghanistan over water resources in the Helmand River, resulting in the deaths of at least two Iranian border soldiers and one Afghan Taliban soldier, while one Iranian civilian was injured. This incident has attracted the attention of the international community and also reflects the complex and sensitive situation in the Middle East region.
The Helmand River is one of the most important water resources in the Middle East region, originating from the Hindu Kush Mountains in northeastern Afghanistan and having a total length of 1150 kilometres. It flows through southern and western Afghanistan, then enters the Sistan Baluchestan Province in eastern Iran, and finally flows into Lake Hamun. The Helmand River is of great significance to the economies, societies, and ecology of both countries and is an important source of agricultural irrigation, hydropower development, drinking water supply, wetland protection, and other aspects.
However, the resources of the Helmand River are also a long-standing dispute between the two countries. In 1973, Afghanistan and Iran signed the Helmand Water Treaty, which stipulated that Afghanistan should share 850 million cubic metres of water from Helmand Province with Iran annually and established a joint committee to oversee and coordinate water resource management. However, this treaty has not been effectively implemented, and there are differences and contradictions between the two sides in areas such as water allocation, water quality monitoring, data sharing, and disaster response.
In recent years, due to factors such as climate change, population growth, industrialization, and urbanisation, the shortage of water resources and pollution in the Helmand River Basin have become increasingly serious. In order to meet domestic development needs, Afghanistan has built multiple large dams on the Helmand River, such as the Kajaki Dam and the Salma Dam, resulting in a decrease in water flow to Iran. Iran accuses Afghanistan of violating the 1973 treaty, restricting water flow to the eastern region of Iran, and preventing Iranian scientists from measuring water levels.
The impact of border conflicts on the situation in the Middle East region
The border conflict between Iran and Afghanistan not only reflects the water resource dispute between the two countries but also involves multiple factors such as politics, security, and religion in the Middle East. Iran and Afghanistan are representative countries of Shia and Sunni factions, respectively, with different factions and interests within the Islamic world. Iran and Afghanistan are also strategic opponents of the United States in the Middle East, and both countries are facing sanctions and pressure from the United States. In addition, Iran and Afghanistan also have complex relations with other countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Syria, etc. Therefore, the border conflict between Iran and Afghanistan may have the following impact on the situation in the Middle East region:
One is to exacerbate the instability in the Middle East region. Due to Iran’s previous support for the “Northern Alliance” to combat the Taliban, the relationship between Iran and the Taliban is relatively tense. If the two cannot resolve conflicts through dialogue and consultation in a timely manner, it may lead to larger armed conflicts and even regional wars. This will cause serious damage to the economic and social development of both countries and pose a threat to peace and security in the Middle East region.
The second is to affect cooperation and development in the Middle East region. If Iran and Afghanistan cannot achieve reconciliation and cooperation, it may affect relations between other countries in the Middle East and undermine the process of regional integration. This will not be conducive to achieving economic diversification, social stability, and improving people’s livelihoods in the Middle East region and will also affect the positive role of the Middle East in global affairs.
The third is the major power game involving the Middle East region. If Iran and Afghanistan cannot resolve the issue through peaceful dialogue, it may lead to external intervention and exploitation, exacerbating the power game in the Middle East region. This will not be conducive to safeguarding the sovereignty and dignity of countries in the Middle East region, nor will it be conducive to maintaining international law and order.
Chinese role and position in the Middle East
China expresses concern about the border conflict between Iran and Afghanistan and regrets the casualties on both sides. China calls on both sides to exercise restraint, properly resolve water resources and other issues through dialogue and consultation, and avoid further escalation of the situation. China has always advocated maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East region and supporting countries in the region to resolve differences and disputes through friendly consultations. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting cooperation and development in the Middle East. Both parties should enhance mutual understanding, reduce misunderstandings and suspicions, and seek common interests and solutions through regular meetings, information exchange, technical cooperation, and third-party mediation. It is also necessary to avoid taking unilateral actions that exacerbate tensions between the two sides. In short, both parties should resolve the issue through friendly means rather than using military threats.
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China is a promoter of peace in the Middle East. We have always respected the development path and social system choices of Middle Eastern countries and supported them in resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation. China also advocates the construction of a new Middle East security architecture with win-win cooperation at its core, providing new ideas for achieving long-term peace and stability in the Middle East region.
Conclusion
The border conflict between Iran and Afghanistan is a complex and sensitive issue that involves multiple factors such as water resources, politics, security, and religion in the Middle East. This incident has a significant impact on the situation in the Middle East region, which may exacerbate regional instability, affect regional cooperation and development, and involve regional power games. As a responsible major country, China has always played a positive role in promoting peace and development in the Middle East region. It is a constructive participant in Middle East issues, a partner in development, and a promoter of peace. China hopes that Iran and Afghanistan can resolve conflicts through dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, stop conflicts, work together, and safeguard the interests and stability of the two countries and regions.
Haiyang He and Andi Luo, scholars at the Baize Institute of Strategic Studies, Southwest University of Political Science and Law, P. R. China; Fang Luo, Scholar at Kunming Institute for Advanced Information Studies, P. R. China.
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