Pakistan carried out airstrikes against Taliban government forces in Afghanistan last night. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif assessed the situation as an “open war.”
Modern.az reports that the strikes targeted the capital Kabul, as well as Kandahar and Paktia provinces, where the Taliban leadership is located. The Pakistani side stated that the attacks were carried out against Taliban military facilities.
Although the Taliban announced that it had launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistan, it declared its readiness for negotiations. It is emphasized that clashes continue along the border, and both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on each other.
The tension increases the risk of a long-term conflict along the 2,600-kilometer border. Russia, China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are reportedly making mediation efforts.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi noted in his conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan that it is important for the other side to also commit to resolving the problem. Iran has also offered mediation. (Reuters)
