Photo of Taliban Corpses is Older Than Claimed
The Claim
A photo shows the corpses of Taliban fighters after clashes with Iran.
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Emerging story
Social media users recently widely shared an image that allegedly shows the corpses of Taliban fighters after clashes with Iran.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The photo dates back to 2022.
After conducting a reverse image search, Misbar’s team found that the image was shared on Twitter back in May 2022, as can be seen below.
Taliban Iran Clashes
On Saturday, a violent confrontation erupted between the Taliban and Iranian forces along the Islamic Republic's border with Afghanistan. The clash, triggered by the ongoing dispute over water rights, saw heavy gunfire exchanged between the two sides. The incident has significantly heightened tensions and poses a potential threat to regional stability.
According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, Gen. Qassem Rezaei, the country's deputy police chief, accused the Taliban of initiating the attack. Iran claims to have inflicted heavy casualties and significant damage. In contrast, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor stated that Iran fired the first shots. Takor reported that the firefight resulted in the deaths of two individuals, one from each country, and caused injuries to several others. He assured that the situation is currently under control.
As a consequence of the border clash, the Milak border crossing, a crucial trade route connecting Afghanistan and Iran, has been temporarily closed. This closure has had a significant impact on bilateral trade, causing economic repercussions for both nations. The cessation of cross-border activities further strains the already tense relations between Iran and Afghanistan.
At the core of this border clash lies a contentious dispute over water rights between Iran and Afghanistan. The scarcity of water resources, particularly in Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, has been a long-standing source of tension. Disagreements over water distribution have exacerbated the situation, leading to periodic clashes. The recent escalation underscores the pressing need for a diplomatic resolution to the water rights dispute.
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