Border conflicts with Kyrgyzstan have not yet been resolved, and now they have started with the Taliban?

According to Afghan media, last week there was an armed conflict between Tajik border guards and Taliban militants, resulting in the death of one Taliban fighter.

A video published by Afghan media shows Tajik border guards and Afghan Taliban sitting at a negotiation table, with their conversation taking place in a tense atmosphere.

In the video, one of the Tajik border guards addresses the Taliban, saying: “Our opponents are in Afghanistan, and they are armed.” He wanted to accuse the Taliban of sheltering an armed opposition against the government.

However, in response, a Taliban representative accused Tajikistan of the opposite.

“You have 350 people, and you are training them against the Islamic Emirate. This is obvious. Don’t bring up this topic,” says the Taliban member.

It appears that the representatives of Tajikistan were trying to steer the conversation away from the essence of the dispute, attempting to silence the Taliban with their accusations. But the Taliban forced the Tajik side not to avoid the main topic, emphasizing that they had much to say in their defense.

“We do not accept oppression. This issue is small, do not raise other issues. Resolve this specific issue, it is in our common interest. But if you continue in this manner, it will harm both you and us,” stated the Taliban representative.

The Taliban demanded that the Tajik negotiators limit the discussion to just one issue.

“Mr. Commander, there is one topic — let the water flow in its previous course, friendship between us will be preserved, there will be no problems. We just want the water to flow as it did in previous years. We have no problems,” said the Taliban negotiator.

Where did the conflict start?

According to Afghanistan International, on August 24 of this year, a shootout occurred at the Dovang border point in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, bordering the Shamsiddin Shohin district of Tajikistan, between Tajik border guards and the Taliban. As a result, one Taliban fighter was killed, and four others were injured.

It is reported that the conflict flared up due to the alteration of the Panj River’s course by Afghan mining companies.

Although several days have passed since the incident, there have been no official comments from the Tajik authorities, and it is unknown what agreements the parties have reached.

Earlier, Radio Ozodi also reported that Afghan mining companies are engaged in gold washing and precious metal extraction on the banks of the Panj River, which raises concerns among Tajik authorities. According to Tajik officials, gold washing on the banks leads to changes in the river’s course and may cause significant flooding in the future, thereby causing serious harm to the population.