Pakistan and Afghanistan used to be allies but they're edging towards all-out war

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1. 1h ago

   Pakistan and Afghanistan Edge Toward Open War as Airstrikes Mount

   Pakistan and Afghanistan are drifting toward all-out war after years of alliance, sparked by escalating cross-border violence and deadly Pakistani airstrikes. Islamabad blames a surge in attacks on Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters based in Afghanistan, an accusation the Taliban government denies. Recent airstrikes have killed civilians, including children, according to reports from Kabul and the United Nations, while Pakistan maintains its operations target only militants. Despite the worsening conflict, Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi insists ongoing disputes can still be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue rather than military force.

   Why it matters

   Relations between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban have ruptured following a long history of Pakistani support for the group. Pakistan now accuses Kabul of harboring militants who launch attacks across the border. The current direct military confrontation marks a severe breakdown in regional stability.

   What is confirmed

   • Pakistan has carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan, marking a direct military confrontation between the two governments.
   • Islamabad attributes a surge in deadly attacks inside Pakistan to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters operating from Afghan territory.
   • The Afghan Taliban government denies that it is harboring anti-Pakistan militants.
   • Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that problems between the neighbors can be resolved through diplomacy.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Taliban accused Islamabad of sending anti-Taliban fighters into Afghanistan.

   What to watch next

   • Further diplomatic talks or official responses from Islamabad regarding calls for dialogue.
   • Additional cross-border military strikes or changes in the scale of the offensive.
   • United Nations or international casualty verifications.
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. AP News — Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 9 civilians, Kabul says; Pakistan says only militants hit
   2. BBC — Pakistan launches deadly air strikes on Afghanistan
   3. The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine — Why Pakistan Turned on the Taliban (and Vice Versa)
   4. dw.com — Pakistan and Afghanistan used to be allies but they're edging towards all-out war
   5. Middle East Monitor — Why Afghanistan is becoming a pressure point for Pakistan’s Middle East ambitions
   6. en.tempo.co — Pakistan vs. Afghanistan: From Allies and Neighbors to War - World En.tempo.co
   7. www.cfr.org — Conflict Between Afghanistan and Pakistan | Global Conflict ...
   8. www.dw.com — Pakistan vs. Afghanistan: From allies and neighbors to war
   9. www.longwarjournal.org — Pakistan launches new strikes as conflict with Taliban ...
   10. www.al-monitor.com — Afghan Taliban says problems with Pakistan can be resolved ...
   11. uk.news.yahoo.com — Pakistan vs. Afghanistan: From allies and neighbors to war
   12. www.afghanistan.is — Afghanistan.is
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