Following persistent Pakistani military airstrikes targeting Kunar and Helmand provinces that resulted in heavy civilian casualties, the United Nations, the European Union, and key international figures have expressed deep concern, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities, adherence to international law, and diplomatic resolution of disputes.
Kabul 24: Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasized that ongoing tensions severely jeopardize innocent lives. He stated that the United Nations calls for immediate de-escalation, constructive dialogue, and strict compliance with international humanitarian law to protect non-combatants from further harm.
Concurrently, the European Union released an official statement expressing profound regret over the loss of life caused by the aerial bombardments, urging both Kabul and Islamabad to exercise maximum restraint.
The EU statement referenced figures confirmed by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which verified the deaths of at least 10 civilians primarily children—and the injury of nine others in Kunar and Helmand. The bloc also called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to take effective measures against militant groups operating within their territory.
Furthermore, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, termed the Pakistani strikes a blatant violation of international law and human rights, stressing the necessity for accountability.
Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, condemned the military incursions, describing the loss of innocent Afghan lives and children as tragic and calling for an immediate end to the violence.
On the diplomatic front, Zamir Kabulov, Special Presidential Representative of the Russian Federation for Afghanistan, told the newspaper *Izvestia* that the border conflict will be discussed at the upcoming eighth Moscow Format consultations. He noted Russia’s readiness to utilize the Moscow platform to facilitate reasonable compromises between both nations.
These international reactions follow a series of nocturnal operations by the Pakistani military, where despite claims of hitting militant hideouts, field reports from UNAMA confirm widespread civilian devastation.
