What to know about the latest fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Pakistan has declared it is in an “open war” with Afghanistan following escalating border conflicts that have plunged the two nations into their most serious armed confrontation since last October’s Qatari-mediated ceasefire. Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif made the stark declaration on Friday as fighting intensified along the countries’ shared frontier.

The latest round of hostilities erupted when Afghanistan launched extensive cross-border attacks into six Pakistani provinces on Thursday night. Afghan officials characterized these incursions as retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes conducted on Sunday, which Islamabad claimed targeted militants but Kabul insisted killed only civilians, including women and children.

Pakistan responded swiftly with airstrikes early Friday, targeting the Afghan capital Kabul as well as Kandahar and Paktia provinces. Border skirmishes, which had briefly subsided, quickly resumed and continued throughout Friday.

The relationship between these neighboring countries has long been complex and volatile, dating back to Pakistan’s creation in 1947. Despite strong traditional, social, and economic ties, their interactions have frequently deteriorated into armed conflict.

Much of the current tension centers around Pakistan’s allegations that Afghanistan provides safe haven to the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). This militant group, formed in 2007 and designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and United States, has been blamed for numerous attacks within Pakistan, including suicide bombings and coordinated assaults on security forces.

The TTP advocates for stricter Islamic laws, the release of imprisoned members, and reduced Pakistani military presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the border province they have historically used as a base. Though distinct from the Afghan Taliban now governing Afghanistan, the TTP maintains close alliances with them, with many fighters believed to have sought refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Afghanistan consistently rejects accusations of harboring militants, insisting it does not allow its territory to be used for attacks against any country. The Taliban government had previously attempted to broker peace between Pakistan and the TTP in 2022, but the ceasefire collapsed when the militants accused Pakistani forces of violating the agreement.

The border region itself remains a significant flashpoint. The 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) frontier, known as the Durand Line, was established in 1893 and cuts through traditional Pashtun tribal areas. While internationally recognized as Pakistan’s western border, Afghanistan has never officially accepted this demarcation, adding another layer of contention to bilateral relations.

Tensions between the countries reached a peak last year following an October 8 militant ambush that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers in Orakzai district. This attack was part of a broader wave of violence that has claimed hundreds of civilian and security personnel lives in recent years. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted the military full authority to respond, leading to strikes inside Afghanistan and subsequent cross-border clashes.

Although Qatar mediated a ceasefire in mid-October, intermittent strikes and skirmishes have continued along the frontier, resulting in dozens of casualties. Peace talks in Istanbul last November failed to produce a lasting solution to the conflict.

The situation has been further complicated by Pakistan’s mass deportation of Afghan refugees. In 2023, Pakistan launched a nationwide crackdown on foreigners without legal status, primarily affecting Afghans who had sought refuge there over the past four decades. According to the UN refugee agency, approximately 5.4 million people have returned to Afghanistan since October 2023, mostly from Pakistan and Iran, placing additional strain on Afghanistan’s already limited resources.

The international community has expressed alarm at the escalating conflict, particularly given the presence of other militant groups in the region, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have previously facilitated talks between the two sides, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has reportedly spoken with counterparts from both countries.

Russia has called for an immediate halt to the fighting and a diplomatic resolution, while Iran has offered to assist in facilitating dialogue. With both nations heavily armed and harboring deep-seated grievances, the risk of further escalation remains high, threatening stability in an already volatile region.