Taliban in the headlines today over border clashes with Pakistan and talks on migrants; rulers of Afghanistan since proclaiming the Islamic Emirate.
Fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces has intensified, with cross-border strikes and civilian casualties reported on both sides. Pakistan declared an 'open war' after Afghan retaliatory attacks, and diplomatic efforts have failed to halt the conflict. The situation remains volatile as both sides accuse each other of targeting civilians and harboring militants.
As of March 13, 2026, intense fighting continues along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border following Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory starting February 26. Both sides report heavy casualties and territorial gains amid ongoing military operations. The conflict has displaced over 115,000 people, with civilian deaths reported on both sides. International calls for restraint remain unheeded, and no ceasefire negotiations are underway.
Recent weeks have seen a sharp escalation in conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border drone, mortar, and airstrikes causing civilian casualties on both sides. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities continue, marking the deadliest period in recent years and raising regional stability concerns.
Recent border clashes and airstrikes have led to the deadliest conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan in months. Pakistan claims targeted military sites, while Afghanistan reports civilian casualties at a hospital hit in Kabul. Both sides accuse each other of escalation, with ongoing regional instability and civilian suffering.
A US-led air strike on a Kabul rehabilitation center has killed over 400 people and wounded hundreds, according to Afghan authorities. Pakistan denies targeting the site, claiming it hit military targets. The incident has escalated regional tensions and prompted calls for investigation.
Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has intensified since late February, with cross-border clashes and airstrikes. Afghanistan reports civilian casualties, while Pakistan denies targeting civilians. A ceasefire was briefly in place but has now expired, raising concerns of further escalation.
Over the past three weeks, conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has intensified, marked by cross-border clashes and airstrikes. A recent Pakistani strike on a Kabul hospital resulted in hundreds of casualties, with both sides denying targeting civilians. The situation remains volatile amid international calls for de-escalation.
As of late March 2026, Pakistan and Afghanistan have resumed military operations following a temporary ceasefire during Eid al-Fitr, brokered by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. The conflict escalated after a Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center killed over 400 people, which Pakistan denies, claiming it targeted militant sites. Cross-border shelling continues, with civilian casualties and displacement mounting.
Dennis Coyle, a US researcher detained in Afghanistan since January 2025, was released on humanitarian grounds for Eid. The Taliban's Supreme Court deemed his detention sufficient after a family appeal, facilitated by the UAE and Qatar, amid ongoing US concerns over wrongful detention practices.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are engaging in direct talks in Urumqi, facilitated by China, to address border clashes and seek a ceasefire. The discussions follow recent escalations and involve efforts to reopen borders and reduce tensions, with regional powers supporting de-escalation.
As of April 8, 2026, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to avoid escalating their armed conflict following week-long peace talks in Urumqi, China. The talks, mediated by China, addressed core issues including terrorism and border security. Both sides committed to restoring normal relations and refraining from actions that could worsen tensions, after months of deadly cross-border fighting and economic disruption.
The European Commission plans to invite Taliban officials to Brussels in the near future for talks on returning migrants to Afghanistan.
The US has been discussing relocating 1,100 Afghan refugees, including military allies and families of US service members, from a Qatar base to third countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a possible option. The Trump administration halted Afghan visa processing in 2025, leaving refugees stranded and facing forced choices between returning to Taliban rule or resettlement in unstable countries.
The UK government is monitoring ongoing discussions between European countries and the Taliban about deporting Afghan asylum seekers. While the UK does not recognize the Taliban government, officials are not ruling out future returns, despite concerns over Afghanistan's human rights record and the current humanitarian crisis.
Afghan evacuees at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar have reportedly been told they may be relocated to Congo or return to Afghanistan, as Washington weighs options for resettlement after a long vetting process. Officials say no deal has been finalized, while groups in Doha describe worsening conditions and uncertainty.
Since early May 2026, multiple suicide vehicle-bombings and coordinated gun attacks have struck security posts in Pakistan's northwestern border districts (Bajaur, Bannu), killing dozens of officers and civilians. Pakistani authorities have blamed Afghanistan-based militants, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) or a TTP splinter group, and have summoned Afghan diplomats while cross-border tensions remain unresolved.
The UK government has stopped in-country assistance for relocating eligible Afghans who worked with British forces, directing them to seek relocation via third countries. The move comes as MPs, lawyers, and advocates warn of hardship and risk for Afghan allies left behind, with ongoing debates over safety and access to asylum.
A Taliban decree regulating divorce in Afghanistan has sparked international condemnation over alleged endorsement of child marriage and reduced pathways for women to obtain divorce. Activists warn the measure could entrench discrimination, while the Taliban defend it as aligned with Islamic law.
The Taliban’s defence minister, Mohammad Yaqoob, has joined Russia at the International Security Forum in Moscow where a military-technical agreement has been signed. Details remain undisclosed, but officials describe it as a bilateral framework covering equipment, licenses and collaboration. Analysts say the agreement is symbolic and unlikely to yield an immediate, large-scale military alliance.
A cargo truck carrying Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan has overturned in Laghman province, killing 18 people including 10 children and injuring dozens. The incident underscores dangerous transport conditions and the strain on displacement routes as the Taliban-led government offers condolences and emergency aid.