The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted that Moscow is concerned about the escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has urged both Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve issues through dialogue with restraint.
In part of the spokesperson’s remarks, published on the Ministry’s website, it states: “Moscow is concerned about the escalation of tensions at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where not only military personnel but also civilians are being killed as a result of the clashes.”
The Russian Ministry’s spokesperson has recommended that the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan engage in “constructive dialogue” to resolve their differences peacefully.
Political experts, however, point to internal conflicts in Pakistan as the reason for the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. They further add that Pakistan is shifting the challenges caused by its internal differences onto Afghanistan and fueling the tensions.
Khalil Ahmad Nadem, a political expert, says: “If Pakistan is bombing Afghan territory, the Afghans are also forced to defend their land and people. I believe that Russia’s mediation will not resolve the issue because Pakistan’s internal situation is tense. There are multiple factions in the country, and the people there are demanding their rights. For this reason, Russia’s mediation will only temporarily address the challenges between the two countries.”
Aziz Merej, another political expert, says: “These tensions are not beneficial for either country, and there will be no solution except for casualties and increased mistrust. All problems and differences must be resolved through negotiation and mutual understanding between the two countries. Russia, as a regional superpower, is striving to prevent the tensions in the region from flaring up.”
Last Tuesday evening, in Pakistan’s airstrikes on Paktika, at least 50 people were killed and dozens more were injured. Three days after the airstrikes on Paktika, on Saturday, the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate announced retaliatory attacks against Pakistan.
Several international media outlets, including Reuters and AFP, have reported casualties among both the military personnel of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan in these clashes on the Durand Line.
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