God, Gas and Heroin. Now, the Fight’s Over Water
By News
Published 4 years ago on
February 6, 2020
Share
[aggregation-styles]
Los Angeles Times Subscription
ZARANJ, Afghanistan — Men across this windblown, lawless desert have fought over opium, God and gasoline, but now, Said Mohammed, a wheat farmer with a shovel and a rifle, senses a war brewing over water.
The conflict runs along the dangerous border between Afghanistan and Iran, where the Helmand River winds like an existential thread through two troubled lands. The nearly complete Kamal Khan dam would provide Afghan farmers with steady irrigation flows in dry seasons. But Iran, claiming the dam may significantly reduce its downriver water supply, is seeking to undermine the project.
“There just isn’t enough all year around,” said Mohammed, digging in his soil. “This year, we were told that the new dam would be finished and it would regulate our water supply through irrigation canals. But our neighbor [Iran] is stronger and might prevent it. They are already stealing our water. We’re fighting a water war, and we have little hope.”
Read More →
Los Angeles Times Subscription
ZARANJ, Afghanistan — Men across this windblown, lawless desert have fought over opium, God and gasoline, but now, Said Mohammed, a wheat farmer with a shovel and a rifle, senses a war brewing over water.
The conflict runs along the dangerous border between Afghanistan and Iran, where the Helmand River winds like an existential thread through two troubled lands. The nearly complete Kamal Khan dam would provide Afghan farmers with steady irrigation flows in dry seasons. But Iran, claiming the dam may significantly reduce its downriver water supply, is seeking to undermine the project.
“There just isn’t enough all year around,” said Mohammed, digging in his soil. “This year, we were told that the new dam would be finished and it would regulate our water supply through irrigation canals. But our neighbor [Iran] is stronger and might prevent it. They are already stealing our water. We’re fighting a water war, and we have little hope.”
Read More →
By Stefanie Glinski | 6 Feb 2020
RELATED TOPICS:
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
Local /
13 hours ago
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
14 hours ago
Canadian Police Make 3 Arrests in Sikh Separatist’s Slaying That Sparked a Spat with India
World /
14 hours ago
Three Arrested for Trespassing, Posting Flyers at Fresno Synagogue and Church
Crime /
15 hours ago
Heavy Rains Over Texas Have Led to Water Rescues, School Cancellations and Orders to Evacuate
Weather /
18 hours ago
Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen argues that a fractured democracy can have destructive effects on the economy — an indirect jab...
Politics /
45 mins ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
Politics /
45 mins ago
Yellen Says Threats to Democracy Risk US Economic Growth, an Indirect Jab at Trump
World /
1 hour ago
New Sea Route for Gaza Aid on Track. Treating Starving Children Is a Priority
Inspire /
1 hour ago
At Time of Rising Antisemitism, Holocaust Survivors Take on Denial and Hate in New Digital Campaign
Local /
13 hours ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints Judges for Fresno, Merced Counties
World /
14 hours ago
Israel Briefs US on Evacuation Plan for Palestinians Ahead of Planned Rafah Assault
World /
14 hours ago