Pakistan-Afghanistan: Iran, EU urge dialogue amid deadly clashes

Iran’s Foreign Ministry expressed “deep concern” amid Pakistan, Afghanistan clashes and called for “immediate” dialogue.
Europe’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for an “immediate de-escalation” and a halt to hostilities between Kabul and Islamabad, warning the fighting could impact the wider region.
Afghan media reports Taliban attacked Pakistani military camps
Afghanistan’s TOLOnews outlet is reporting that Taliban forces launched drone attacks on Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.

According to TOLOnews, which cited unnamed security sources, a fire broke out at the Spinwam base following the attack.

The security source told TOLOnews that the attacks were in retaliation for the Pakistani air force attacks on Thursday night.
Afghanistan calls for talks after Pakistan attacks
Afghanistan is calling for dialogue after Pakistan declared “open war” on its neighbour with air strikes on several major cities, including Kabul.

The escalation follows months of growing hostilities between the two countries despite a ceasefire agreement in October.

Islamabad accused the Afghan Taliban of opening fire along their shared border on Thursday.
UN warns fighting could worsen humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
Here’s more from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on the aid situation:

Dujarric said that UN humanitarian staff have noted that nearly half of Afghanistan’s population is already in need of humanitarian assistance, following “years of conflict, poverty and natural disasters”.

In total, “almost 22 million men, women and children, in need of humanitarian aid”, Dujarric said.

“This number will only increase if the fighting goes on or escalates,” he said.

“We, along with our humanitarian partners, are monitoring the situation closely, and we will continue to support wherever possible,” he added.
European Council calls for ‘immediate de-escalation’ in cross-border fighting
The Council of the European Union has issued a statement calling for an immediate halt to the hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which it warned “could have serious implications for the region”.

The Council urged both Kabul and Islamabad early on Saturday to engage in dialogue and to respect international law, including in respect to humanitarian situations.

“The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be ensured, and all feasible precautions must be taken to prevent further civilian harm,” it said.

The council also said that Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities must “take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan”.