Urta Tagay

Urta Tagail (also known as Yangi Qala) is a small island in the middle of the Amu Darya river in Central Asia. It is administered by Takhar Province, Afghanistan.

In 1925, claiming that the main channel of the river had shifted to the south of the island, placing it in Soviet territory, Soviet troops occupied the island. Despite the diplomatic claim, it is believed the island was seized to prevent Uzbek rebels from crossing the river to attack the Soviets.

Kabul protested the seizure, and the dispute was taken to a joint commission which decided in favour of Afghanistan, and the island was returned.

Sources

• J. Bruce Amstutz. Afghanistan: The First Five Years of Soviet Occupation. DIANE Publishing, 1994 ISBN 0-7881-1111-6, 978-0-7881-1111-2.[1]