Armed clashes occurred between Iranian border guards and members of the Afghan Taliban movement at the Sasuli border post between the two countries, Iranian authorities announced on Saturday.
The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) quoted the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Internal Security Forces, Brigadier General Qassem Rezaei, as saying, “This morning, the Taliban forces opened fire on the Sasuli outpost located at the border crossing in the city of Zabul, and they were confronted decisively.” Rezaei added that instructions issued by the General Command of the Iranian Internal Security Forces focused on confronting “strongly and courageously” to defend the country’s borders and not allowing anyone to approach the Iranian border.
Media center of the Iranian border guard forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province said in a statement that their forces repelled an attempt by armed elements to enter Iranian territory, which led to an exchange of fire between the two sides.
The statement added that the Iranian forces gained the upper hand in the border duel due to intensity of the fire, and the other side suffered severe losses.
This development came after escalation of tension and disagreement between the two countries, recently, regarding the share claimed by Tehran from the border waters of the Harmand River.
Last week, Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi warned the Afghan authorities about his country’s share of this river, calling them to “take these words seriously.” The Hermand River (Helmand) originates from the Hindu Kush Mountains in northeastern Afghanistan and empties into Lake Hamoun inside Iranian territory after traveling more than 1,300 kilometers inside Afghanistan.
Source: Kuwait News Agency