The Taliban movement has declared the establishment of a specialized department dedicated to ensuring the security of the Qoshtepa Canal, Sputnik Afghanistan reports.
As per the Afghan Ministry of Interior, this unit is tasked with safeguarding the nation's dams, national projects, educational institutions, banks, and commercial centers. The department operates under the overarching goal of the National Public Protection Agency to secure the Qoshtepa Canal.
The Qoshtepa Canal project, a significant venture in managing Amu Darya water resources, is currently underway in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban asserts that the initial phase of the canal is operational, but there are apprehensions from Central Asian countries regarding the project.
As per The Economist's predictions, the completion of the canal could escalate regional conflicts, as it diverts Amu Darya water toward the Uzbekistan border. Considering Afghanistan heavily relies on Uzbekistan for electricity imports, the Taliban may face challenges from the neighboring republic.
Experts suggest that climate change, causing Uzbekistan to lose 15% of its water, combined with an additional 10% reduction due to canal construction, could result in a total 25% water loss for Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyayev, has recently emphasized that the Taliban's construction of the Qoshtepa Canal will alter the water dynamics and equilibrium in Central Asia. The Taliban assures that Uzbekistan will not be adversely affected by the Qoshtepa Canal.
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