Afghanistan Policy Page

A one-page brief from the Afghanistan Congressional Communications Hub on a major issue concerning U.S. policy and engagement in Afghanistan.

24 March 2010

Province Profile - Herat

Key Issues

Herat’s Security Environment

• Taliban activity spread from the south into Afghanistan’s western provinces in 2005 but remains relatively low. Latest figures for IED attacks in Herat during Jan-May 2009 record 13 incidents (in comparison to over 250 in Kandahar).

• Alleged Iranian support for insurgent groups in western Afghanistan is of concern. Caches of weapons with Iranian, Russian and Chinese markings have regularly been seized having entered Afghanistan via the Iranian border.

• Expulsion of Afghan refugees from Iran into western Afghanistan has contributed to instability in Herat’s region.

• The drug trade remains a destabilizing factor in the west of Afghanistan. A UN report charted a 109% increase in opium production in Herat province last year.

Regional Strongman - Ismail Khan

• Persian speaking Sunni Tajik, known as the ‘Lion of Herat’, he led insurrections against both Soviet forces and the Taliban from his powerbase in Herat.

• Twice governor of Herat, once during the 80s, and again until his transfer to central government in 2004, he still enjoys considerable local support and is commonly credited for much of the province’s prosperity.

• Appointed Minster of Energy and Water in Dec 2004, until the Afghan parliament rejected his reappointment in Jan 2010.

• Maintains important ties and relationships with Iran, having spent several years in exiled there, making him an important power broker in the region.

• Human Rights Watch has accused him of human rights abuses, though he is considered a relative ‘moderate’ of the Afghan warlords.

Iranian Influence

• Connections with Iran are strong in Herat. Shared historical links of Silk Road trade underlie modern social links forged via returning Afghan refugees and temporary migratory workers to Iran; and a legacy of political support for Afghan leaders remains from Soviet and Taliban eras.

• After the Taliban’s fall news reported that Iran had supplied Ismail Khan with at least twenty truck loads of cash between November and December 2001.

International Trade, Transport Links and Economy

• Most of Afghanistan’s trade with Iran passes from Herat through the Islam Qala crossing and into Iran. Herat City is also connected to Kabul, Kandahar, Iran and Turkmenistan through the Ring Road– making Herat a major hub for trade in the region.

• The construction of roads and railways has helped boost trade in western Afghanistan. A 191-kilometer railway built by Iran connects Khaf in northern Iran to Herat.

• Herat is considered to be one of the richest provinces in Afghanistan in terms of agriculture and industry. Herat City has a relatively educated population and professional class, and good infrastructure including reliable utilities and clean streets.

Key Facts

• Governor of Kabul Province: Eng. Muhammad Yousuf Nuristani (since Jan 2009)

• Provincial Capital: Herat (city)

• Size: 24,362 square miles (about the size of West Virginia).

• Members of Parliament: 17 including 5 women, out of 249 total house members.

Total Herat Province Population: 1.76 million

• Three quarters live in rural areas of province.

• Majority of population is evenly split between Dari-speaking Tajiks, and Pashtuns

• Hazara, Uzbek and Turkmen minorities

Literacy and education:

• Around 40% of men and 28% of women in Herat are literate – slightly higher than the national average of approx 28%.

• Just over half of children aged 6-13 are enrolled in school.

Economy of Province:

Agriculture (36%), livestock (20%) and non-farm day labor (46%) account for the majority of household income in Herat.

Infrastructure:

• ¬¬22% of population has access to electricity, but this drops to only 6% in rural areas.

• 31% has access to safe drinking water.

• 14% has access to sanitary toilet facilities.

• The vast majority of roads are car-worthy, given seasonal conditions.

• Over 70% of population has access to a phone

Herat’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is run by the Italian government.

In the News

Channel 4 News reports that Taliban insurgency is being supported by Iranian weapons smuggled over the border including mines and plastic explosives. (C4)

Possible Questions

• What is being done to promote Afghan exports and economic performance through Herat’s international trade links?

• What is the reason for the dramatic increase in opium production in Herat last year?

• How successful is the Italian-led PRT in Herat and what lessons can be drawn from its activities?

Map Source

• Long War Journal

The Afghanistan Congressional Communications Hub serves Members and staff by providing accessible information on Afghanistan. It is non-partisan.

Contact ACCH@NewStrategicSecurityInitiative.org if you would like a specific issue paper or to be placed directly on the distribution list.