Afghanistan: In Rural Afghan War, Irrigation Water Is Tool

Apr 4, 2018 | Sharifullah Sharfat and Abubakar Siddique, Gandhara
View Original

Government forces and insurgents are using access to irrigation water as leverage to pressure civilians into supporting them or force their opponents out of their villages and communities. Lawmakers and locals in the restive southern province of Uruzgan say that during the past year both security forces and insurgents have sought to control access to irrigation water in the rural region, where most residents depend on farming for survival.