Kuchi–Hazara conflict is the series of conflicts between

Kuchis Kochis or Kuchis (Pashto: کوچۍ Kuchis) are pastoral nomads belonging primarily to the Ghilji Pashtuns. In the southern, western and northern regions of Afghanistan they are also referred to at times as maldar (Pashto: مالدار maldar ...

and

Hazaras The Hazaras ( fa, , Həzārə; haz, , Āzərə) are an ethnic group and the principal component of the population of Afghanistan, native to, and primarily residing in the Hazaristan (Hazarajat) region in central Afghanistan and generally scatt ...

over the lands in

Hazarajat Hazaristan ( fa, هزارستان, Hazāristān), or Hazarajat ( fa, هزاره‌جات, Hazārajāt) is a mostly mountainous region in the central highlands of Afghanistan, among the Koh-i-Baba mountains in the western extremities of the ...

, the central highlands of

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

, since the early 18th century. After the establishment of new Afghan Government, these conflicts have turned into war between Hazaras and Kuchis. The conflicts have left tens of people dead, hundreds injured and thousands internally displaced in recent years.

History

During the early 18th century when

Ghilzai The Ghiljī ( ps, غلجي, ; fa, خیلجی, Xelji) also spelled Khilji, Khalji, or Ghilzai or Ghilzay (), are one of the largest Pashtun tribes. Their traditional homeland is Ghazni and Qalati Ghilji in Afghanistan but they have also settl ...

Pashtuns Pashtuns (, , ; ps, پښتانه, ), also known as Pakhtuns or Pathans, are an Iranian ethnic group who are native to the geographic region of Pashtunistan in the present-day countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They were historically r ...

were first independent of Safavid dynasty and began migration into pastures of Hazarajat and pushing Hazaras toward west.

The Behsud conflicts

The Behsud districts (both Behsud 1 and Behsud 2) of

Maidan Wardak province Maidan Wardak ( Pashto: ; Dari: ), also called Wardag or Wardak, is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, located in the central region of Afghanistan. It is divided into eight districts and has a population of approximately 500,00 The capit ...

are predominantly Hazara populated where the Kuchis are stopped to enter further in Hazarajat. The prevention has cost tens of lives, leaving hundreds injured and thousands internally displaced in the recent years.

Casualties

Tens of people have been killed, hundreds injured and thousands are internally displaced during the conflicts in Behsud.

Protests and reactions

In 2009, Haji Muhammad Mohaqiq, leader of

People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan ( fa, حزب وحدت اسلامی مردم افغانستان, ''Hezb-e Wahdat Islami Mardum-e Afghanistan'') is a political party in Afghanistan, formed after a split in the ''Hezbe Wahdat''. The party ...

, went on a hunger strike. In 2010, many Hazara MPs walked out the session of House of the people to protest the clashes in Behsud.

Peace agreement

In 2011, an agreement was signed between the elders of Hazaras and Kuchis during a meeting in

Kabul Kabul (; ps, , ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. Located in the eastern half of the country, it is also a municipality, forming part of the Kabul Province; it is administratively divided into 22 municipal districts. Acco ...

to resolve the conflict, the agreement was also endorsed by

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

of Maidan Wardak province, Mohammad Halim Fidai. The agreement soon after violated.

References