Pakistan declared war on the Taliban regime in neighboring Afghanistan in the night from Thursday to Friday. Air strikes were subsequently reported on the Afghan capital Kabul and in the southern province of Kandahar, resulting in casualties, but it is still unclear how many. This was reported by the AFP news agency from the Afghan capital.
The declaration of war and airstrikes follow months of attacks and border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan that left lives on both sides. “Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war between us and you,” Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif wrote on X on Friday.
According to Pakistani state broadcaster PTV, the attacks “destroyed” two military posts in Kabul and one in Kandahar, but this could not be independently verified.
Mediation
Both countries accuse each other of pushing for escalation. According to Pakistan, Afghanistan supports terrorists who carry out attacks in Pakistan. The border between the two countries, the so-called Durand Line, is disputed by Afghanistan. A ceasefire was agreed in October after mediation by Turkey and Qatar.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through a spokesperson, called on both sides to protect civilians “as required under international law” and “continue to strive to resolve any disagreements through diplomacy.”
This message is being supplemented.
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