In similar positions in the Kings Indian Attack, white wants to play Nc5 eventually and doesn't want it met by b5.
A Reti/English line question
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The first nine moves below follow Timman-Karpov 1993. Both sides develop their pieces to logical squares. Karpov next chose 10...e5 which makes sense. Black is developed his pieces support a central expansion and he has an extra tempo since white made 4 pawn moves to black's three. However, besided 10...e5 10...a5 is given with more success in master level play. I can't figure out what a5 is meant to support or prevent, can anyone explain?