(Adnkronos) – At least 42 civilians have been killed and 104 injured between February 26 and March 2 in clashes along the border between Afghan and Pakistani forces. The report comes from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama), specifying that women and children are among the victims. This is a provisional toll.
According to Unama, the casualties are attributed to “indirect fire” during border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes on two provinces in eastern Afghanistan. An estimated 16,400 families have been displaced due to the latest escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which has been back in Taliban hands since 2021, following the most fragile ceasefire ever announced last October. The Mission raises the alarm about the “already dire” humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, with a renewed appeal to end the clashes and an urging for all parties to respect their commitments under international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians.
The latest escalation began with the Afghan accusation of airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on February 22 in two provinces of Afghanistan. Kabul and Islamabad have been exchanging accusations for years. According to Pakistan, the Taliban in power in Afghanistan support the Pakistani Taliban, who have been responsible for attacks in Pakistani territory for years.
