Nearly 66,000 people have been displaced in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan after a week of heavy fighting along the border with Pakistan, according to the United Nations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that escalating cross-border hostilities are having a growing humanitarian impact on civilians, damaging infrastructure and forcing thousands of families to flee their homes.
The latest violence marks the most serious confrontation between the two neighbours in years. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say their recent military operation along the Durand Line was launched in response to Pakistani air strikes in late February. Pakistan, however, maintains that its actions were aimed at preventing armed groups from using Afghan territory to carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Both sides have reported heavy casualties, though the figures remain unverified and sharply disputed. Civilians have also suffered significant losses, while reports indicate continued shelling and drone activity in border areas.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis is deepening. The UN’s World Food Programme says severe food insecurity already affected dozens of districts before the fighting began, and emergency food distributions have now been suspended in many areas. Residents describe villages emptying as families flee, leaving homes behind in fear and uncertainty.
