Sammah Popal / ePPA
Destruction in Kabul, Afghanistan, after airstrikes
In a decisive weekend for the Middle East, former allies Pakistan and Afghanistan try to reach peace after intense clashes that killed dozens of civilians.
“Pakistan carried out precision air strikes against the terrorist group Hafiz Gul Bahadur in the border areas of Afghanistan, close to the Pakistani districts of South and North Waziristan,” Lusa sources said in a statement this Friday.
It was just one of several mutual attacks that have already led to death of dozens of civilians since last week, with Afghanistan accusing Pakistan of operating from shelters within Afghan territory.
Once allies, now enemies. The explains that the origin of the conflict is due to Islamabad’s regular accusations that the Taliban administration in Kabul harbors militants attacking Pakistan. Afghanistan denies these accusations.
Since last week, an intense conflict has put the world on alert for a possible escalation of the conflict. Armed attacks and even suicide bombers alarmed surrounding countries, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, for possible strong retaliation from both parties.
After a few days of international pressure from other Middle Eastern powers, the two countries will meet in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to negotiate peace after a truce reached on Friday.
“The Afghan regime must control agents who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and who are using Afghan soil to carry out hateful attacks inside Pakistan“, declared on Saturday the head of the Pakistan army, Field Marshal Asim Munir, quoted by .
On the other hand, Kabul accuses Islamabad of attacking Afghanistan even after the truce. A peace that is not very peaceful, which has two alternatives: either it is resolved or it implodes into war.
Carolina Bastos Pereira, ZAP //
