Istanbul: Afghanistan and Pakistan are set to reconvene in Istanbul this week for a new round of high-stakes peace talks, following a series of violent clashes along their shared border. The negotiations come as both countries seek to de-escalate tensions that have reached their highest point since the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021.

Earlier this month, Pakistani and Afghan forces engaged in cross-border skirmishes, marking the most serious confrontations since the Taliban takeover. Pakistani airstrikes targeted areas in Afghanistan, including the capital, aiming at the leadership of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been blamed for repeated attacks on Pakistani soil. Afghanistan responded with retaliatory strikes along the border, further inflaming hostilities.

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