Drone strike at RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus raises tensions between Western powers and Iranian forces
A recent drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus has escalated the already heightened tensions between Western powers and Iranian forces in the Middle East. The attack occurred around midnight local time, or 22:00 GMT, just hours after the UK government confirmed that the US would be allowed to use British military bases for potential defensive operations against Iranian missile sites. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the incident, though initial assessments indicated only minimal damage to the base. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) released a statement confirming the attack and affirmed that investigations are underway to... [Continue Reading]
Bagram Air Base Targeted by Pakistan, Afghanistan Says
The Afghan military said it had thwarted a Pakistani airstrike on the former U.S. base, Bagram airfield, amid an intensifying campaign that has targeted dozens of military sites across the country. [Continue Reading]
Afghanistan says it thwarted Pakistan airstrikes on Bagram airbase
Sporadic clashes reported in several provinces in Afghanistan as both sides give conflicting death tollsAfghanistan has said it had thwarted Pakistan’s attempted airstrikes on Bagram airbase, the former US military base north of Kabul, as cross-border fighting between the two countries stretched into a fourth day.Months of clashes have flared up again since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched attacks along the frontier and Pakistani forces hit back on the border and from the skies. Pakistan has declared it is in “open war” with Afghanistan. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Blasts heard in Kabul as Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict continues
Kabul reports a thwarted strike on Bagram air base as international calls for a ceasefire go unheeded. [Continue Reading]
The week in pictures: War in the Middle East, Trump’s State of the Union address and New York snow
From the US-Israeli strikes on Iran to clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, to Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, FRANCE 24 looks back at the week's most striking images. [Continue Reading]
Clashes escalate along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, disrupting civilian life and prompting international concern
Recent clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have escalated into a significant conflict, disrupting local civilian life and prompting international concern. Following an offensive initiated by Afghanistan, military engagements intensified, with Afghan and Pakistani troops engaging in combat marked by airstrikes and ground operations. Diplomatic efforts by Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar to achieve a ceasefire have so far failed. Reports indicate that the fighting has involved Pakistani forces responding to cross-border offensive actions launched by Afghan military units. On-site accounts from Afghan residents confirm sustained battles, particularly in areas near the border where civilian casualties have occurred due... [Continue Reading]
Trump’s Iran strike tests the Maga vow of ‘no more wars’
News of Ali Khamenei’s killing sparks backlash from Marjorie Taylor Greene and other America First loyalistsDonald Trump had come to Fayetteville, near Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina, with a promise. “We will stop racing to topple foreign regimes that we know nothing about, that we shouldn’t be involved with,” the then US president-elect said in December 2016.Trump has pushed his isolationist message in the decade since, repeatedly assuring his “America first” base that there would be no repeat of the forever wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Afghanistan fires at Pakistani jets over Kabul
Afghanistan has said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after blasts and gunfire rocked the capital, compounding instability in a region rattled by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on US targets in Gulf states. [Continue Reading]
Pakistani, Afghan clashes widen as Arab states struggle to halt war
Afghan and Pakistani troops battled along their border, Afghan residents and officials told reporters on Sunday, with the fighting coming alongside multiple strikes including the former US airbase at Bagram. Months of cross-border clashes have flared since Thursday when Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier, with Pakistani forces hitting back on the border and from the skies. Residents in multiple areas bordering Pakistan spoke of overnight fighting, while two civilians were... [Continue Reading]
Escalating violence reported in Kabul amid clashes between Afghan forces and Pakistani aircraft entering Afghan airspace
Recent hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated dramatically on a Sunday as explosions and bursts of gunfire resonated through central Kabul. The clashes arose as the Taliban government alleged that Afghan forces were engaging Pakistani aircraft that had entered Afghan airspace. This incident marks a significant spike in violence following months of ongoing cross-border tensions, which have surged since a renewed Afghan military offensive that began on Thursday. According to reports from AFP journalists, the sounds of blasts and gunfire were particularly noticeable in the vicinity of downtown Kabul, where residents expressed a mixture of confusion and concern over the... [Continue Reading]
Explosions heard in Kabul as Afghan forces open fire at Pakistani aircraft
An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard in central Kabul on Sunday as the Taliban government said Afghan forces were responding to a new incursion by Pakistani aircraft. The unrest follows months of cross-border clashes that intensified on Thursday after Afghanistan launched a frontier offensive, prompting Pakistani retaliatory strikes. [Continue Reading]
No Clear Endgame in the Conflict Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan showed its overwhelming superiority in conventional warfare, but the Taliban have refined a lethal repertoire of guerrilla tactics. [Continue Reading]
Pakistan-Taliban showdown risks becoming a protracted war of attrition
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities are locked in a widening tit-for-tat confrontation that neither side seems willing to defuse, analysts said, warning the exchanges risked settling into a prolonged conflict along one of Asia’s most volatile borders. Islamabad has vowed to keep striking military targets inside Afghanistan until the Taliban takes action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups Pakistan says operate from Afghan soil. Pakistani warplanes... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan says ‘no dialogue’ with Afghanistan as attacks persist
Pakistani media report a drone has hit a mosque in Bannu near the border, injuring at least five people. [Continue Reading]
Live: Two blasts rock Afghanistan's Jalalabad city as diplomatic efforts intensify
Two loud explosions rocked Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday morning, as Pakistan said that 37 locations had been subject to aerial targeting since its operation began. This comes as the European Union called for both sides to de-escalate and engage in dialogue, while the United Nations urged an immediate end to hostilities. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan Amid Rising Tensions with Taliban
In a significant escalation of tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, Pakistan has launched airstrikes targeting multiple cities across Afghanistan, drawing a swift response from the international community. The United States has expressed its support for Pakistan's "right to defend itself" following the bombardment of urban areas including Kabul and Kandahar. This latest development highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region and the increasing volatility between the two nations, which have a history of conflict and rivalry. The airstrikes commenced late Thursday and extended into Friday, with strikes reported in major Afghan provinces such as Paktia, Paktika, Khost, and... [Continue Reading]
US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban after strikes on Afghanistan
Taliban offer to resolve dispute via dialogue after Pakistan bombed cities in Afghanistan in latest escalation with its neighbourWashington endorsed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after it bombed major cities across Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbours.The Taliban government in Kabul stressed it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence intensified between the two countries. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar Amid Rising Tensions with Afghanistan
Recent developments have escalated tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting the Afghan capital, Kabul, and the southern city of Kandahar. These attacks mark a significant retaliatory action by the Pakistani military, which accuses the Taliban of sheltering militants intent on destabilizing the Islamabad government. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the strikes, reporting civilian casualties but withholding specific numbers. According to eyewitness reports, the strikes led to heavy explosions, particularly near an ammunition depot in Kabul, which resulted in firefights as stored ordnance ignited. Local residents described the scene, with one taxi driver, Tamim, recalling the panic... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Declares "Open War" Against Afghanistan Amid Escalating Border Violence
In a significant escalation of violence, Pakistan has declared an "open war" against Afghanistan, marking a troubling phase in relations between the two neighboring nations. The statement from Pakistan's Defense Minister comes amid ongoing exchanges of fire across the Durand Line, a border that has historically been contentious. This recent conflict highlights the deteriorating relations between the Pakistani government and the Taliban, which now governs Afghanistan. Reports indicate that sporadic cross-border shelling has resulted in civilian casualties on both sides, intensifying fears of a broader conflict. Local sources indicated that at least 15 confirmed casualties have been recorded, though the... [Continue Reading]
Modi expresses support for Netanyahu during visit to Israel, signaling potential shift in India's foreign policy on Palestinian issue
In a significant diplomatic move, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently expressed support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel. This event, marked by a public display of solidarity between the two leaders, has raised questions regarding India's position on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Analysts suggest that this visit signals a shift in India's foreign policy, with implications for its historical support of the Palestinian cause. As reported, Modi's visit comes at a time of escalating tensions in the region. The public embrace of Netanyahu, known for his controversial stance on Palestinian issues, has sparked debate... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Launches Airstrikes on Major Afghan Cities Amid Rising Military Tensions
In a significant increase of military tensions, Pakistan has conducted extensive airstrikes across major Afghan cities, including Kabul, marking a new phase of aggression in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Reports indicate the strikes commenced shortly after 3 a.m. local time, aligning with a declaration from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who characterized the situation as a state of “open war” with Afghanistan. This escalation represents a culmination of rising tensions following a series of skirmishes along the border. The situation is particularly concerning for regional stability, given the historical and geopolitical complexities between the two countries.... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Kabul and Kandahar Amid Escalating Military Tensions with Afghanistan
Heightened tensions have escalated into military actions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan conducting airstrikes in the Afghan capital of Kabul and in Kandahar, recognized as a stronghold of the Taliban leadership. Pakistani officials characterized the conflict as an "open war," an assertion made by Pakistan's Defence Minister following these operations. As reported on Friday, these airstrikes come as retaliatory measures against earlier attacks initiated from Afghan territory against Pakistan. According to reports from both nations, the situation remains highly volatile, particularly along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where ongoing clashes have been noted. Eyewitness accounts from correspondents indicate that these confrontations... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan Declares Open War Against Taliban Government Amid Escalating Skirmishes Along Durand Line
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Pakistan has officially declared an “open war” against Afghanistan's Taliban government amidst fierce skirmishes along the Durand Line. This declaration coincides with reports of explosions in Kabul and other locations in Afghanistan, raising concerns over regional stability. The situation has attracted global attention, with various countries urging both sides to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions to the conflict. The conflict has intensified following a series of border clashes. According to a statement from Pakistan, retaliatory airstrikes have targeted the Taliban's strongholds in Kandahar and Paktika provinces, directly responding to a provocative assault by... [Continue Reading]
Pakistan and Afghanistan engage in military conflict following cross-border attacks and airstrikes, resulting in casualties on both sides
Recent military actions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated into what Pakistan describes as an "open war." Tensions reached a boiling point after Pakistan launched airstrikes on several locations in Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul, following a cross-border attack by Afghan forces. Confirmed reports indicate that violent exchanges, including airstrikes and artillery fire, have resulted in casualties on both sides, marking a significant deterioration in relations between the two nations. On Friday, Pakistan targeted Kabul and two other provinces after an attack on its border troops the previous night, which claimed the lives of Pakistani soldiers. Official statements from Pakistan's... [Continue Reading]
Pakistani military conducts air strikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan
In a rapid escalation of hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Pakistani military has conducted air strikes targeting locations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces. These attacks, described by Pakistani officials as a response to Afghan forces' aggression, mark a significant intensification of cross-border clashes that have plagued the region in recent days. According to reports from the Pakistani government, these air strikes occurred in the early hours of a recent Friday. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the strikes were aimed at "Afghan Taliban defence targets," asserting that they were a necessary counteraction to what Islamabad characterized as "unprovoked... [Continue Reading]
