After nine tense days following a clash between Pakistan security forces and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist group aligned with the Afghanistan Taliban, a border crossing between the two countries opened Friday, Sep. 15, reports Aljazeera. The TTP attacked two Pakistani checkpoints on Wednesday, Sep. 6 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the town of Torkham. According to Reuters trucks were stuck on either side of the border filled with produce and other permissible items, damaging trade and commerce between the two nations and throughout central Asia, as the border crossing near Torkham is a vital trade route.
AP News has reported that Pakistan’s government has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists and militants like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan; however, the Afghan Taliban in charge of the country deny these claims. The conflict originates from the border, known as the Durand line, separating Pashtun Tribal areas. This border is a product of colonial era policy made by the British. They emphasized the issue when the Taliban took over after the U.S. and NATO withdrawal. Reuters reports that after nine days and meetings between the two nations, the border crossing at Torkham was opened allowing commerce and migration to continue.
While America and the West have withdrawn from the Middle East, it is still important that policy makers and the citizenry keep close watch on the new Taliban Afghanistan. Events like this one show that the Middle East should still be a concern for western nations.
Anonymous Student • Oct 3, 2023 at 3:11 pm
You need a comma after Reuters. Afghanistan and Pakistan are both blaming the rising tensions on the Coalition forces leaving. But we didn’t have to even ever be there. When we were in Afghanistan our Special Operations soldiers trained the Afghan National Army. Yet they are still tactically unproficient. Why? Because they would rather smoke a hookah than do a mission. They cant always rely on the U.S. always lending a helping hand. RIGHT AFTER we left the Taliban and Al-Qaeda took right back over. Maybe they should try harder.
Anonymous • Oct 3, 2023 at 3:05 pm
In the first paragraph, when you are mentioning Reuters, after Reuters you need a comma or else it doesn’t flow. Also Afghanistan, and Pakistan are both blaming the rising tensions on the Coalition forces leaving, but in my opinion, it is their country. We didn’t have to come and sacrifice but we DID. They should be grateful, except that after we left the Taliban and Al-Qaeda took right back over. They can’t always rely on other outside help. We trained the Afghan Army, and yet they still are tactically unproficient. They are not going to get help with a Democrat in Office.