On Wednesday, new clashes erupted along the volatile border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to the deaths of over a dozen civilians and military personnel. According to Reuters,
Afghan Taliban sources reported that during morning assaults by Pakistani forces in the Spin Boldak area, more than ten civilians were killed, and around 100 were injured.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani side reported four civilian injuries in the Chaman area, which borders Spin Boldak. This escalation has resulted in extensive fighting between military forces and militants. In the Pakistani border region of Orakzai, six soldiers were killed, and another six were injured.
Reuters reports that nine militants were also killed in the clashes.
These recent confrontations are noted to be among the bloodiest between the neighbors since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021. The situation at the border remains tense, with international observers expressing concern over the rise in violence and the risk of further escalation of the conflict.
Notably, a representative of the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, Zakir Jalal, stated that the group would not allow the U.S. to regain control of a key airbase in Afghanistan.