IWPR, 16 September 2013
Residents of Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan complain that large swathes of their farmland have been appropriated to build military bases, and the owners have received little or no compensation. Around ten international military bases have existed there since 2001. Initially used by NATO troops, the bases have now either been abandoned or turned over to the Afghan National Army (ANA) as international forces prepare to leave the country next year. The owners – who claim they are harassed by the Taleban for allowing government forces to use their land – say that the transfer of responsibility further complicates their attempts to claim compensation. Defence ministry spokesman General Daulat Waziri :“The ministry of defence does not take, and has not taken, anyone’s land by force,” he added.
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This article was last updated on 9 Mar 2020
