Why Tensions Erupted Between Nomads (Kuchis) and the Hazara Ethnic Group in Kabul?

Tensions between nomads and the Hazara ethnic group deteriorated security in the Afghan capital Kabul for two days. On Friday's clashes between nomads and the Hazara ethnic group, followed by violent demonstrations, 3 people were killed and about 50 others were wounded

Later, the land mafia and some high-ranking government officials also interfered in the issue. The Afghan government reported that it had identified the master-minders of the incident, but no step has been taken in connection to the incident so far.

The Start of the Clashes

The clashes between the two sides apparently erupted over land ownership in Daru-l-Aman area of Kabul, the Afghan capital, in which people from both sides were killed. Both sides blamed each other for using weapons.

Demonstrations and the Looting of Food Stores

Following the eruption of these clashes, some residents in western parts of Kabul conducted violent demonstrations on Friday. The demonstrators also looted shops, set fire to some police checkpoints and also attacked a hospital. Majority of the protesters were from the Hazara ethnic group.

Who were the protesters and why did the clashes erupt between the nomads and the Hazaras? Some Kuchi and Hazara representatives in the parliament blame the land mafia and some government authorities for causing these tensions.

The Afghan government sent a delegation comprised of representatives from Kuchis, Hazaras and the government itself after the incident to investigate the issue. Previously, there were also commissions formed to solve tensions between nomads and Hazaras, but the commissions were not effective.

Later, tensions also broke out between nomads and Hazaras near the Omid-e-Sabz town, that is owned by the brother of the vice-president Muhammad Karim Khalili. The vice president's brother was also made involved in the issue, although he denied any connection with the incident.

The Role of the Vice President's Brother in the Construction of a Town

Questions are raised about the construction of the Omid-e-Sabz town. The town is under construction in an area of 3 million square meters in Darul Aman area of Kabul. Although it is said that the town construction has gone through all the legal process, officials in Kabul municipality say the construction work of the town is going on illegally and some influential people are involved in it.

The Properties of the High-ranking Government authorities in Omid-e-Sabz Town

The reconstruction work of this town is going on rapidly, and its foundations and most other parts have been built. Besides government support for the establishment of this town, there are also signs that high-ranking government officials have bought lands in this town. According to some sources who spoke anonymously, most government authorities, especially officials in president Karzai's office have bought land in this town.

Perspective

The seizure of land, especially governmental lands by influential people has been practised the most in the present government, compared to any other government in the past.

More than 8 billion square meters of land has been seized in Afghanistan in the past nine years. On the other hand, the clashes between nomads and Hazaras were apparently over pastures, but there are also reports about some government authorities and political factions who allegedly add fuel to the fire to get privileges. It is said that the master-minders of Friday's incidents have been identified, but since the Afghan government has had a soft policy toward such issues in the past, it does not seem that the organisers of these clashes will be questioned and tried.

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