• The Taliban have captured Afghanistan’s Dahla Dam after months of fierce fighting in their former bastion of Kandahar, officials said. 

• The dam’s capture comes after clashes erupted in neighbouring Helmand province, just days after the US military formally began withdrawing its remaining troops from Afghanistan.

• US warplanes have been providing air support for the Afghan forces despite the drawdown of foreign troops.

• The US was supposed to have pulled all forces out by May 1 under a deal struck with the Taliban last year, but Washington pushed back the date to September 11, a move that angered the insurgents.

Dahla Dam

• Dahla Dam is the largest dam in Kandahar Province, and the second largest in Afghanistan, which is located 34 km north of Kandahar City. 

• It was built on the Arghandab River, which flows over a length of 400 km.

• Dahla Dam, also known as Arghandab Dam, was first built with full funding and technical support provided by the United States government, between 1950 and 1952 during the reign of Zahir Shah, the last King of Afghanistan.

• It provides irrigation to farmers via a network of canals as well as drinking water for the provincial capital.

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