EU Council calls on Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate

Conflicts

EU Council calls on Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate

The conflict between the two neighboring countries is coming to a head. Mutual attacks result in deaths and injuries. Now the EU is speaking out.

In view of the escalation of tensions between neighboring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Council of the European Union has called on all actors to “immediately de-escalate and cease hostilities”. The violence could have “serious consequences for the region,” the EU Council warned in a statement on the conflict.

Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries, it said. The EU is calling on the Afghan rulers to “take effective measures against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan.”

“We strongly urge both sides to enter into dialogue,” the statement said. International law must be adhered to by all actors and the civilian population must be protected.

After Afghan attacks on Pakistani positions in the border area on Thursday evening, Islamabad also carried out air strikes on the two largest Afghan cities, Kabul and Kandahar, on Friday. Both sides reported deaths and injuries. After the attacks, the Islamist Taliban ruling in Kabul insisted on a solution through dialogue, while Pakistan made clear demands on Afghanistan to stop the fighting.

Relations between the two neighboring countries have deteriorated in recent months due to allegations from Pakistan that Kabul is harboring terrorists who carry out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul vehemently denies this. The conflict flares up again and again in the form of direct military confrontations. Mediations for a sustainable peace failed after fighting and attacks last autumn.