Israeli strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least three people and injured 23 late Friday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The strikes hit five locations across the southern Tyr and Nabatieh regions and the eastern Bekaa region.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill three, injure 23 despite truce

The situation in Gaza has reached a harrowing new low as Israeli airstrikes on a residential building in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood claimed the lives of four members of a single family, including two women and a child.

Israel-Gaza War: Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill Four Members Of One Family 

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has reportedly killed multiple police officers, according to local sources. The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Gaza, with intensified military operations and rising casualties on both sides.


Israel-Gaza War: Israeli Strike Kills Police Officers in Gaza

A Nigerian Air Force strike targeting rebels hit a local market in northeastern Nigeria, killing over 100 residents and injuring many others, a rights group and local media reported on Sunday. Officials confirmed a misfire but did not provide details.

Amnesty International said it confirmed from survivors that at least 100 people were killed in the airstrike on a village in Yobe state near the border with Borno state, the epicenter of the militant insurgency ravaging the region for over a decade.


Nigerian Airstrike Hits Market; Dozens Dead | Air Force Says Strike Targeted Boko Haram Fighters

Fresh strikes during the ongoing US-Iran war are raising concerns over threats to Iran’s critical infrastructure, including transport links, energy facilities, and industrial sites. The escalation follows reports of a major U.S. strike on a key bridge near Tehran and warnings from Washington that more attacks could follow if tensions persist. 


US-Iran War: Fresh Attack Threatens Iran's Critical Infrastructure

Israeli forces bombarded central Beirut and southern Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict with Iran‑aligned Hezbollah, striking bridges and residential areas without advance warning. Multiple areas in Beirut were hit, prompting evacuations and worsening civilian suffering as ground and air operations escalate in the region.


Israel-Lebanon War: Israeli Strike Near Beirut Kills 2, Injures 5

Afghanistan has said that more than 400 people have been killed in Pakistani airstrikes, as tensions between the two countries sharply escalate.

Afghan officials claim the strikes caused heavy casualties and hit civilian areas, including key infrastructure in Kabul.

Pakistan, however, has rejected the allegations, stating that its operations were precision airstrikes targeting military positions and terrorist infrastructure, not civilians.

The incident marks a significant escalation in cross-border tensions, with both sides offering sharply differing accounts of the strikes and their impact.


Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Deadly Airstrike

In January 2026, U.S.-Iran tensions have pushed WTI oil to $59, but a record 3.8 million bpd surplus limits gains. Unrest in Iran and U.S. sanctions threaten the Strait of Hormuz, risking flows to India and China.

In January 2026, U.S.-Iran tensions have pushed WTI oil to $59, but a record 3.8 million bpd surplus limits gains. Unrest in Iran and U.S. sanctions threaten the Strait of Hormuz, risking flows to India and China.

U.S. vs. Iran: How a war could affect global oil prices

Fresh clashes have erupted along the Thailand–Cambodia border as tensions flare once again in the long-disputed region. According to initial reports, Thailand has launched air strikes targeting areas close to the contested border zone, triggering immediate military responses and raising fears of a wider conflict.

Thailand-Cambodia Clashes: Six Cambodian Civilians, One Thai Soldier Killed in Clashes

Since the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed, renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed more than 300 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.


Israel: Five Hamas Terrorists Killed in Gaza | Israel-Gaza War

Drone strikes are blasting cities in ever greater numbers. Troops, already in short supply, are all needed on the front, where the Russians are slowly advancing. So, Ukraine is exploring another solution to defend the rear.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine Unleashes 1,600 KM Strike Weapon

Intense clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Saturday night after an attack by the Taliban on Pakistani military posts.

This escalation comes after a Pakistani airstrike in Kabul this week, as reported by security officials from both nations.

Pak-Afghan Clash: Tensions Escalate Over Alleged Pak Airstrikes; Iran, Qatar Urge Restrain

An attack on a boarding school in Myanmar on Friday (September 12) killed and injured over a dozen students as they slept, according to several reports.
The Irrawaddy news website, citing two Rakhine media outlets, said the death toll had reached 22 by Friday evening following an airstrike by the Myanmar military at around 1 a.m. local time (1830 GMT on September 11) on the school in the rebel-held town of Kyauktaw in western Rakhine state.

Myanmar Strikes Force Youth Into Bunker Schools: Over a Dozen Students Killed

Two years into the Israel-Hamas war, the conflict has left a trail of devastation, loss, and suffering on both sides. From relentless airstrikes and rocket attacks to humanitarian crises and destroyed communities, the war continues to reveal the harsh realities of prolonged violence.


Israel-Hamas War: 2 Years On, Israel-Hamas War Divides the Israelis

An attack on a boarding school in Myanmar on Friday (September 12) killed and injured over a dozen students as they slept, according to several reports.
The Irrawaddy news website, citing two Rakhine media outlets, said the death toll had reached 22 by Friday evening following an airstrike by the Myanmar military at around 1 a.m. local time (1830 GMT on September 11) on the school in the rebel-held town of Kyauktaw in western Rakhine state.



WATCH | Myanmar School Blast: Airstrike at Myanmar School Kills Over a Dozen Students

Four IDF soldiers were killed in a Hamas attack near Gaza City on September 8, according to the Israeli military. The fallen troops were members of the 401st Armored Brigade’s 52nd Battalion. Prime Minister Netanyahu warned Gaza City residents to evacuate, as the IDF intensifies airstrikes ahead of a potential ground offensive.

Hamas attack: Four Israeli soldiers killed near Gaza city, says IDF

Airstrikes attributed to Pakistan have struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Khost, killing at least three civilians and injuring seven others, according to Taliban authorities. The strikes damaged homes and prompted the Taliban foreign ministry to summon the Pakistani ambassador, condemning the attacks as a provocative act. Pakistan has yet to comment on the incident.

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of deadly air-strikes | 3 children dead, 7 wounded

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, demanding an end to Houthi attacks on US warships or face consequences. This comes after the Houthis launched their third attack in 48 hours on a US aircraft carrier. As tensions rise, the UN has called for restraint while oil prices continue to climb. The situation in the Red Sea remains volatile.

Trump threatens Iran: stop Houthi attacks or face consequences

TThe first U.S. strikes against Yemen's Houthis under President Trump have killed 31 people in multiple cities across the country. The Iran-backed rebels say that women and children are among those dead. The strikes targeted multiple cities, including the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Strikes were also reported in Hudaydah, home to Houthi-held military facilities and its political bureau, as well as in southwestern Dhamar and the district of Abs.

US airstrikes in Yemen: Iran condemns strikes as a 'gross violation' of international law

The US has launched powerful airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. President Donald Trump has vowed to "rain hell" on the group, warning Iran to halt its support. The military action comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with reports of multiple casualties.

US airstrikes in Yemen: at least 19 killed in airstrikes in Sanaa

US airstrikes in Yemen: Trump announces military operations against Houthis in Yemen

US airstrike in Yemen: Trump announces military operations against Houthis in Yemen

According to reports, the Trump administration has expanded the authority of military commanders by easing the rules for airstrikes and raids. This change will grant commanders in the field greater autonomy. This decision would end the guidelines established by former President Joe Biden and mark a return to the more aggressive counterterrorism policies that Trump implemented during his first term.

Trump expands military kill list, loosens airstrike and raid rules

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Feb 2) shared a video of the first American airstrike on Islamic State targets in an African nation during his second term.&nbsp;
A day after announcing that he had ordered &lsquo;precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia&rsquo;, Trump shared the unverified footage on his Truth Social platform.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-find-and-kill-you-trumps-stern-warning-as-us-conducts-air-strikes-on-is-targets-in-somalia-8682499">'WILL FIND AND KILL YOU': Trump's stern warning as US conducts air strikes on IS targets in Somalia</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Trump's stern warning</h2>
This comes after the United States military on Saturday (Feb 1) conducted air strikes on Islamic State group targets in Somalia.
<iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/113931812065727107/embed" class="truthsocial-embed truthsocial-video" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>

Trump on Truth Social had posted, &ldquo;This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn&rsquo;t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that &ldquo;WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!&rdquo;
Trump, however, did not share the identity of the ISIS planner, nor did he confirm whether that person was killed in the strike.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-become-first-country-to-ban-ai-tools-creating-child-sexual-abuse-images-what-all-does-it-include-8683920">UK to become first country to ban AI tools creating child sexual abuse images. What all does it include?</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Strikes carried out in northern region of Somalia</h2>
The strikes were carried out in a northern region of Somalia, where the Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been carrying out operations against ISIL since December. The armed group is said to have established a presence in the Golis Mountains.
&ldquo;Recent air strikes have led to the neutralisation of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation,&rdquo; the regional government said on Sunday.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Explore President Trump's announcement of the first US airstrike on ISIS targets in Africa during his second term, marking a significant military engagement.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Feb 2) shared a video of the first American airstrike on Islamic State targets in an African nation during his second term. A day after announcing that he had ordered ‘precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia’, Trump shared the unverified footage on his Truth Social platform. Also read | 'WILL FIND AND KILL YOU': Trump's stern warning as US conducts air strikes on IS targets in Somalia Trump's stern warning This comes after the United States military on Saturday (Feb 1) conducted air strikes on Islamic State group targets in Somalia. Trump on Truth Social had posted, “This morning I ordered precision Military air strikes on the Senior ISIS Attack Planner and other terrorists he recruited and led in Somalia. These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies. The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians. Our Military has targeted this ISIS Attack Planner for years, but Biden and his cronies wouldn’t act quickly enough to get the job done. I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!” Trump, however, did not share the identity of the ISIS planner, nor did he confirm whether that person was killed in the strike. Also read | UK to become first country to ban AI tools creating child sexual abuse images. What all does it include? Strikes carried out in northern region of Somalia The strikes were carried out in a northern region of Somalia, where the Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been carrying out operations against ISIL since December. The armed group is said to have established a presence in the Golis Mountains. “Recent air strikes have led to the neutralisation of key figures within ISIS, marking a significant advancement as we progress into the second phase of our operation,” the regional government said on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump releases video of US airstrike on IS targets in Somalia

The U.S. military has conducted an airstrike against Islamic State operatives in Somalia. This marks the first attack by the U.S. during President Donald Trump's second term.

US launches airstrikes against ISIS targets in Somalia

Trump launches airstrikes on ISIS in Somalia

At least 16 civilians were killed in a military air raid in the Northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara. According to residents, the pilot mistook local self-defense forces for criminal gangs. Nigeria's Air Force says it is investigating reports of civilian casualties. The incident is the second deadly accidental airstrike targeting civilians since the December 25th bombing of two villages in a raid targeting jihadists in neighboring Sokoto state. Watch in for more details!

Nigeria: At least 16 killed in airstrike

On Tuesday (December 24) night, Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes on four locations in Afghanistan&rsquo;s eastern Paktika province, targeting camps linked to the banned group, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to security officials, several suspected militants were killed or injured in the operation. The Afghan defence ministry, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that Pakistani forces had carried out the airstrikes. However, the Afghan Taliban claimed that the attack also caused casualties among civilians, including children.&nbsp;
Sources revealed that the airstrikes targeted TTP camps in the Murgha and Laman areas of Bernal district. One of the camps was reportedly used by key figures, including Sher Zaman, also known as Mukhlis Yar, Commander Abu Hamza, Commander Akhtar Muhammad and the head of TTP&rsquo;s media wing, Umar Media.&nbsp;
This was reportedly the second time since March that Pakistan had carried out an attack targeting what it claims are hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in areas along the Afghan border. Pakistan often accuses the TTP of using Afghan territory as a base to plan and launch attacks on its soil. However, Afghanistan&rsquo;s government has denied these allegations.&nbsp;
The airstrikes happened on the same day that a Pakistani delegation, led by Special Representative Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, visited Kabul. They met interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi to restart diplomatic talks after a year-long break.&nbsp;
Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives.&nbsp;
The Pakistani government blames the Afghan Taliban for giving shelter to the TTP. Over the years, Pakistan has tried different ways to control the TTP, such as holding talks, building a border fence with Afghanistan and urging the Afghan government to stop supporting the group. In October 2023, Pakistan expelled over 500,000 Afghan refugees and, in July 2024, a second phase began to expel another 800,000.&nbsp;
Pakistan has little control over the violence in its border areas with Afghanistan. It can no longer use its past support for the Taliban during the US war to stop the TTP. Pakistan is, thus, stuck in a problem it created itself. The Taliban leaders it supported during the 20-year war in Afghanistan are now protecting militant groups that attack Pakistan.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-launches-airstrike-in-afghanistan-civilians-suffer-no-official-confirmation-from-islamabad-786628" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts</a>
<h2>Cause of Conflict Between Former Allies&nbsp;</h2>
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a troubled relationship in recent years, but the main issues&mdash;disputes over the border and violence across it&mdash;have been problems for a long time. Since Pakistan became independent, no Afghan government, including the current Taliban leadership, has accepted the official border, says Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. Both countries have also accused each other for years of hiding militants who launch attacks across the border, according to TIME.com.&nbsp;
The Durand Line, a border drawn during colonial times, spans over 1,640 miles (2,640 km) and officially separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan has never accepted this border and the Taliban have taken an even tougher stance on the issue. This has led to several clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers working on border fencing, often causing the closure of key border crossings.&nbsp;
Border tensions have worsened because the Taliban have taken a more forceful stand on the issue, says Kugelman. The border runs through tribal areas mostly populated by Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group living on both sides. Pakistan has promised to finish building a barbed-wire fence along the internationally accepted border, but the Taliban argue that it divides families.&nbsp;
Now that the war in Afghanistan is over, the Taliban no longer rely on Pakistan for safe havens or wartime help. Instead, it is focussing on gaining more support within Afghanistan, where many people have always been suspicious of Pakistan&rsquo;s government. According to Kugelman, by criticizing Pakistan, the Taliban hope to win some favour from among the Afghan people.&nbsp;
<h2>Pressure From China Cause of Operation?&nbsp;</h2>
Officials from Pakistan told BBC that the country&rsquo;s new military operation is being carried out because of pressure from China. Many Chinese workers are involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under the &lsquo;Belt and Road&rsquo; initiative. In March, a suicide bomber, who Pakistan claimed was an Afghan citizen, attacked their convoy in northwest Pakistan, killing five Chinese engineers.&nbsp;
China has a lot of influence over the Taliban because it can invest in Afghanistan, which is struggling under sanctions. Kugelman explains that, if China uses the promise of investment to persuade the Taliban to reduce militant activities both inside Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, it would benefit both China and Pakistan.&nbsp;
<h2>Pakistan&rsquo;s Ongoing Battle for Stability&nbsp;</h2>
The TTP was formed in 2007 as a group that brought together several hardline Sunni Islamist factions operating in Pakistan. This happened after Pakistan&rsquo;s military launched operations against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).&nbsp;
Before merging with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, FATA covered 27,220 square kilometres along Pakistan&rsquo;s border with Afghanistan. The region was home to about 5 million people, mostly Pashtun tribes. It spanned a long, narrow strip with varying widths and included seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions. The region operated under a separate administrative system governed by colonial-era laws called the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which gave significant authority to tribal elders while limiting the role of Pakistan&rsquo;s central government.&nbsp;
Known for its rugged terrain, tribal traditions and strategic location, FATA was historically challenging to govern due to its remote geography and the independence of its tribal communities. Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the region became a hub for such militant groups as the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In 2018, FATA was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province in Pakistan, to integrate it into the country&rsquo;s mainstream legal and administrative system. This merger aimed to improve governance, boost development and strengthen security in the region.&nbsp;
The TTP was formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who is no longer alive. The group is based along the Pak-Afghan border. It is estimated that the TTP has a membership of around 30,000 to 35,000 fighters. While the TTP operates in regions populated by Pashtuns, it does not represent the Pashtun people as a whole. In fact, many Pashtuns oppose the TTP and have been victims of their violence.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-government-spokesperson-claims-46-killed-in-pakistans-overnight-strike-786677" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike</a>
The United Nations states that the main goal of the TTP is to overthrow Pakistan&rsquo;s elected government and replace it with an emirate&mdash;a government led by a religious leader or ruler under Islamic law&mdash;based on their strict interpretation of Islamic principles. The TTP has tried to weaken Pakistan by targeting the army and assassinating politicians. They have carried out many attacks, including suicide bombings, which have killed hundreds of soldiers, police officers and civilians.&nbsp;
The group has carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan, targeting such places as churches and schools. They were also behind the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai, who was shot for speaking out against their attempts to stop women from getting educated. Despite the attack, Malala survived and continued her campaign for education rights.&nbsp;
After the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, it gave new confidence to the TTP, whose leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan. Since November 2022, when the TTP broke a ceasefire with the Pakistani government, attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police have increased. The ceasefire had been agreed upon during talks hosted by Afghanistan&rsquo;s government in Kabul, but the discussions failed. In recent months, the TTP has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan, killing and injuring many soldiers.&nbsp;
<h2>Roots of Conflict &amp; Strategic Advantage&nbsp;</h2>
The main demand of the TTP is to undo the merger of FATA with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This issue has remained a key focus for the group and they continue to push for it for several reasons. Although the TTP is not a single, unified group, its most influential faction has been the Mehsud group, mainly made up of Pashtuns, an ethnic community largely found in the FATA and KP regions of Pakistan.&nbsp;
The TTP uses the FATA regions to strengthen its operations and recruit new members because many local and migrant Pashtuns live in these areas. The TTP takes advantage of their unique political problems and dissatisfaction to gain support. Second, the FATA region gives the TTP a strategic advantage because of its location near the Afghan border. This allows the group to carry out cross-border operations and use Afghanistan as a safe hiding place. They also work with other militant groups, such as the Haqqani Network, taking advantage of shared ethnic and militant ties.&nbsp;

Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives.

On Tuesday (December 24) night, Pakistani fighter jets carried out airstrikes on four locations in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, targeting camps linked to the banned group, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to security officials, several suspected militants were killed or injured in the operation. The Afghan defence ministry, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that Pakistani forces had carried out the airstrikes. However, the Afghan Taliban claimed that the attack also caused casualties among civilians, including children. Sources revealed that the airstrikes targeted TTP camps in the Murgha and Laman areas of Bernal district. One of the camps was reportedly used by key figures, including Sher Zaman, also known as Mukhlis Yar, Commander Abu Hamza, Commander Akhtar Muhammad and the head of TTP’s media wing, Umar Media. This was reportedly the second time since March that Pakistan had carried out an attack targeting what it claims are hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in areas along the Afghan border. Pakistan often accuses the TTP of using Afghan territory as a base to plan and launch attacks on its soil. However, Afghanistan’s government has denied these allegations. The airstrikes happened on the same day that a Pakistani delegation, led by Special Representative Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, visited Kabul. They met interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi to restart diplomatic talks after a year-long break. Pakistan has faced a rise in violence since the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022. In 2023 alone, over 700 attacks claimed nearly 1,000 lives. The Pakistani government blames the Afghan Taliban for giving shelter to the TTP. Over the years, Pakistan has tried different ways to control the TTP, such as holding talks, building a border fence with Afghanistan and urging the Afghan government to stop supporting the group. In October 2023, Pakistan expelled over 500,000 Afghan refugees and, in July 2024, a second phase began to expel another 800,000. Pakistan has little control over the violence in its border areas with Afghanistan. It can no longer use its past support for the Taliban during the US war to stop the TTP. Pakistan is, thus, stuck in a problem it created itself. The Taliban leaders it supported during the 20-year war in Afghanistan are now protecting militant groups that attack Pakistan. Also read | Pakistan launches overnight airstrike on Afghanistan, targets Taliban hideouts Cause of Conflict Between Former Allies Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a troubled relationship in recent years, but the main issues—disputes over the border and violence across it—have been problems for a long time. Since Pakistan became independent, no Afghan government, including the current Taliban leadership, has accepted the official border, says Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. Both countries have also accused each other for years of hiding militants who launch attacks across the border, according to TIME.com. The Durand Line, a border drawn during colonial times, spans over 1,640 miles (2,640 km) and officially separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan has never accepted this border and the Taliban have taken an even tougher stance on the issue. This has led to several clashes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani soldiers working on border fencing, often causing the closure of key border crossings. Border tensions have worsened because the Taliban have taken a more forceful stand on the issue, says Kugelman. The border runs through tribal areas mostly populated by Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group living on both sides. Pakistan has promised to finish building a barbed-wire fence along the internationally accepted border, but the Taliban argue that it divides families. Now that the war in Afghanistan is over, the Taliban no longer rely on Pakistan for safe havens or wartime help. Instead, it is focussing on gaining more support within Afghanistan, where many people have always been suspicious of Pakistan’s government. According to Kugelman, by criticizing Pakistan, the Taliban hope to win some favour from among the Afghan people. Pressure From China Cause of Operation? Officials from Pakistan told BBC that the country’s new military operation is being carried out because of pressure from China. Many Chinese workers are involved in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects under the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. In March, a suicide bomber, who Pakistan claimed was an Afghan citizen, attacked their convoy in northwest Pakistan, killing five Chinese engineers. China has a lot of influence over the Taliban because it can invest in Afghanistan, which is struggling under sanctions. Kugelman explains that, if China uses the promise of investment to persuade the Taliban to reduce militant activities both inside Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan, it would benefit both China and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Ongoing Battle for Stability The TTP was formed in 2007 as a group that brought together several hardline Sunni Islamist factions operating in Pakistan. This happened after Pakistan’s military launched operations against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Before merging with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018, FATA covered 27,220 square kilometres along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. The region was home to about 5 million people, mostly Pashtun tribes. It spanned a long, narrow strip with varying widths and included seven tribal agencies and six frontier regions. The region operated under a separate administrative system governed by colonial-era laws called the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which gave significant authority to tribal elders while limiting the role of Pakistan’s central government. Known for its rugged terrain, tribal traditions and strategic location, FATA was historically challenging to govern due to its remote geography and the independence of its tribal communities. Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the region became a hub for such militant groups as the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In 2018, FATA was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a province in Pakistan, to integrate it into the country’s mainstream legal and administrative system. This merger aimed to improve governance, boost development and strengthen security in the region. The TTP was formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who is no longer alive. The group is based along the Pak-Afghan border. It is estimated that the TTP has a membership of around 30,000 to 35,000 fighters. While the TTP operates in regions populated by Pashtuns, it does not represent the Pashtun people as a whole. In fact, many Pashtuns oppose the TTP and have been victims of their violence. Also read | Afghanistan: Taliban government spokesperson claims 46 killed in Pakistan's overnight strike The United Nations states that the main goal of the TTP is to overthrow Pakistan’s elected government and replace it with an emirate—a government led by a religious leader or ruler under Islamic law—based on their strict interpretation of Islamic principles. The TTP has tried to weaken Pakistan by targeting the army and assassinating politicians. They have carried out many attacks, including suicide bombings, which have killed hundreds of soldiers, police officers and civilians. The group has carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan, targeting such places as churches and schools. They were also behind the 2012 attack on Malala Yousafzai, who was shot for speaking out against their attempts to stop women from getting educated. Despite the attack, Malala survived and continued her campaign for education rights. After the Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, it gave new confidence to the TTP, whose leaders and fighters are hiding in Afghanistan. Since November 2022, when the TTP broke a ceasefire with the Pakistani government, attacks on Pakistani soldiers and police have increased. The ceasefire had been agreed upon during talks hosted by Afghanistan’s government in Kabul, but the discussions failed. In recent months, the TTP has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan, killing and injuring many soldiers. Roots of Conflict & Strategic Advantage The main demand of the TTP is to undo the merger of FATA with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This issue has remained a key focus for the group and they continue to push for it for several reasons. Although the TTP is not a single, unified group, its most influential faction has been the Mehsud group, mainly made up of Pashtuns, an ethnic community largely found in the FATA and KP regions of Pakistan. The TTP uses the FATA regions to strengthen its operations and recruit new members because many local and migrant Pashtuns live in these areas. The TTP takes advantage of their unique political problems and dissatisfaction to gain support. Second, the FATA region gives the TTP a strategic advantage because of its location near the Afghan border. This allows the group to carry out cross-border operations and use Afghanistan as a safe hiding place. They also work with other militant groups, such as the Haqqani Network, taking advantage of shared ethnic and militant ties.

Why Pakistan bombed four Afghan locations

Sudan's military has been accused of launching an airstrike on a marketplace in Darfur, reportedly killing over 176 people. The attack occurred in Kabkabiya town during its weekly market day, with the Emergency Lawyers rights group condemning it as a "horrific massacre." Watch to know more!

Fighting In Sudan Leaves At Least 176 Dead In Two Days

Israel continues its aerial campaign against Syria. The Israeli military reported conducting approximately 480 strikes on strategic military targets in Syria over the past 48 hours. Watch in for more details!

Netanyahu: Israel to Respond if New Syrian Rulers Allow Iran to Re-Establish

Netanyahu: Approved Strikes on Military Facilities in Syria

airstrike

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