Air strikes by Iran and Pakistan reportedly killed nine people, including six children.
New Delhi:
At least 11 people were killed after Iran and Pakistan carried out airstrikes this week, adding to tensions and violence in a Middle East already marked by violence and bloodshed following Israel’s war on Gaza and attacks by Tehran-backed Houthi militias. There is an alarming escalation in the conflict. They claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians besieged in Tel Aviv aboard merchant ships in the Red Sea.
Nine deaths, including four children, were reported from Iran on Thursday, and two children were reported from Pakistan a day earlier, after countries said they had attacked a “terrorist organization”. Tehran said it targeted a camp run by the “terrorist organization” Jaish al-Adl, while Islamabad said it attacked a terrorist group of Pakistani origin in Baluchistan province, along the two countries’ shared border.
Read | Pakistan retaliates after Iranian attack on ‘extremist targets’ leaves 7 dead
Apart from its attacks on Pakistan, Iran has also launched missile and drone attacks in neighboring Iraq and Syria, drawing sharp criticism from the United States, which has carried out its own fourth attack on Houthi targets in Yemen. . Pentagon officials suggested Wednesday night that a Houthi missile stockpile that could have been used to target Red Sea shipping lanes had been destroyed.
NDTV explains | Who is Jaish al-Adl, the target of Iran’s attack on Pakistan?
China and India also issued statements about Iran’s spate of airstrikes, with Beijing calling for “restraint” on both sides and New Delhi distancing itself from “issues between Iran and Pakistan.” India’s Ministry of External Affairs also said, “We understand the actions that countries take in self-defense.”
What did Iran and Pakistan say?
After this morning’s airstrikes, Islamabad announced an operation codenamed “Specially targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts.”Marg Bar Samachar– Killed “numerous terrorists”.
Explaining its actions, Islamabad said it had “consistently shared serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pak-origin terrorists in the ungoverned spaces within Iran.” .
Read | “The only purpose of today’s action is…”: President Park after Iran airstrike
“However, due to lack of action… these (terrorists) continue to shed the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity,” it said, adding, “…in light of credible intelligence regarding an imminent attack.” Ta.
Read | President Park expels Iranian ambassador after airstrike and recalls special envoy from Tehran
On Wednesday, Pakistan recalled its top diplomat from Iran and expelled Iranian government diplomats.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahia, speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos yesterday, said his country was targeting “Iranian terrorist groups” and that “Pakistan is a friendly and brotherly country.” “There are no citizens of the country,” he said. I was being targeted…”
Read | ‘Terrorist group targeting not Pak people’ Iran responds to large-scale claims
Both sides have exchanged affirmations of “fraternal” friendship, leaving at least hope on the table that the conflict can be quickly resolved without further bloodshed.
What did the US, China and India say?
The US State Department criticized Iran for violating the sovereign borders of three countries within 48 hours. The US government is currently leading an offensive against the Houthi militants in the Red Sea region, who are widely seen as being backed by the Iranian government and designated by the US as “global terrorists.” has been done.
“I think Iran is a little bit rich…On the one hand, it is a major terrorist financier in the region, and on the other hand, it is saying that we need to take these actions to counter terrorism. ” said the Secretary of State. Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Read | ‘Exercise restraint’: China tells Iran and President Park after Balochistan airstrike
The Chinese government has taken a more neutral position. “We urge both sides to avoid actions that escalate tensions and jointly maintain peace in the region,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters.
China is probably in a difficult position at this juncture, given its close ties with Pakistan and the fact that it imports large amounts of oil from Iran.
New Delhi, on the other hand, emphasized its “zero tolerance” stance against terrorism, but also said it understood “actions that countries take in self-defense.”
Read | ‘We understand acting in self-defense’: India on Iranian attack on Pak army
“This is an issue between Iran and Pakistan. As far as India is concerned, we have an uncompromising zero-tolerance position towards terrorism,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference. We understand the actions we will take to achieve this.”
Based on opinions from agents
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