Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said claims made by Pakistani officials linking Afghanistan to the attack on a police station in Bannu were unfounded.

“The Afghan government considers the recent statements by Pakistani officials, which claimed that the attack on the police station in Bannu was planned in Afghanistan, baseless,” Mujahid said in a statement posted on X.

The response came after Pakistani authorities blamed Afghanistan-based militants for the suicide bombing and subsequent assault on a police checkpoint in Bannu, an area near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan that has seen a resurgence of militant violence.

The attack, one of the deadliest against Pakistani security forces this year, intensified tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, which have repeatedly traded accusations over cross-border militancy.

Pakistan has accused militant groups operating from Afghan territory of orchestrating attacks inside Pakistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.

The Taliban administration has consistently denied harboring militants targeting neighboring countries and has argued that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply in recent months, including military confrontations earlier this year after Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting what it described as militant hideouts.

The Taliban condemned those strikes as violations of Afghan sovereignty.

According to the report, the installation was built shortly before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran and operated with Washington’s knowledge. The base allegedly housed Israeli special forces personnel and functioned as a logistical and rescue hub for Israeli air operations targeting Iran.The Wall Street Journal said the site included search-and-rescue teams intended to recover Israeli pilots in the event aircraft were downed during missions over Iranian territory.

Reuters could not independently verify the report, and there was no immediate comment from Prime Minister’s Office of Israel following a request for response.The newspaper reported that the clandestine facility narrowly escaped discovery in early March after Iraqi state media cited a local shepherd reporting unusual military activity, including helicopter movements, in a remote desert area.

Iraqi security forces were subsequently dispatched to investigate, the report said, but Israeli forces launched airstrikes to prevent troops from approaching the site closely enough to expose the operation.The Wall Street Journal cited one source as saying the strikes were intended solely to keep Iraqi personnel at a distance from the outpost.

The report further stated that Iraq later filed a complaint with the United Nations alleging that foreign forces had conducted airstrikes on Iraqi territory and attributing the attack to the United States. However, the newspaper cited a person familiar with the matter who said American forces were not involved in the operation.

The alleged operation underscores the widening regional dimensions of the conflict between Israel and Iran, which has increasingly drawn neighboring states and strategic transit corridors into the confrontation.Iraq has repeatedly sought to avoid becoming a direct battleground in regional conflicts involving Iran, the United States and Israel, while balancing ties with Washington and Tehran amid persistent security pressures.

Syrian state TV, citing local sources, said the Jordanian army had likely targeted a headquarters in the village of Shahba that contained weapons and narcotics controlled by rebel groups in the Druze-majority province of Sweida, where large areas remain outside the full control of Damascus.

The report said the strike focused on facilities allegedly used for storing drugs and arms, reflecting ongoing concerns over smuggling routes operating through southern Syria toward Jordan and the wider Gulf region.

In a separate statement, the Jordanian army confirmed it had carried out what it described as a “deterrent operation” against multiple locations used by arms and drug traffickers along the kingdom’s northern border.It did not specify the exact sites targeted or provide casualty figures.

Local sources told an AFP correspondent that a series of airstrikes struck at least five locations, including warehouses in the town of Arman, another area in southern Syria believed to be linked to trafficking activity.

Jordan has repeatedly accused armed groups and smuggling networks operating in southern Syria of using the border region to move large quantities of narcotics, particularly captagon, as well as weapons into Jordanian territory.

Amman has increasingly adopted a more aggressive military posture in recent years, including cross-border raids and airstrikes, arguing that the scale of trafficking has become a national security threat.Sweida province, with its complex tribal dynamics and limited central state authority, has remained a sensitive zone for both Syrian authorities and neighboring Jordan, particularly as security vacuums have enabled illicit trade networks to expand.

The latest strikes come amid wider regional efforts to stabilize southern Syria while containing the spread of organized smuggling operations linked to armed factions and local militias.

The recent escalation of violence across parts of the Middle East and North Africa is intensifying risks for children, with mounting evidence of casualties, displacement, and psychological distress, according to accounts compiled by humanitarian agencies and local testimonies.

The developments reflect a broader pattern in which children are increasingly exposed to recurrent episodes of armed conflict, disrupting essential services and undermining long-term well-being.In Tehran, a mother identified as Maryam described the sequence of events that unfolded during a recent episode of strikes. While attempting to pick up her younger son from school, she received a message from her older son indicating that an attack had occurred. Communication networks were partially disrupted, delaying contact.

When she eventually reached him, he was sheltering in a school basement alongside other students. According to her account, several children were visibly distressed, while others attempted to remain composed. During the exchange, her son asked whether the situation constituted a war, reflecting uncertainty among civilians amid rapidly changing conditions.Maryam reported that urban mobility was severely affected during the incident, with traffic congestion extending travel times significantly.

Upon reaching her younger child, she described an immediate but temporary sense of relief. In the days that followed, she noted that aerial activity and bombardments became more frequent, contributing to a sustained atmosphere of insecurity.Humanitarian reporting indicates that similar patterns are emerging across multiple locations in the region.

Recent weeks have seen a rise in reported child casualties, alongside large-scale displacement affecting hundreds of thousands. Many families have been forced to relocate to temporary shelters, often under urgent and unstable conditions. The disruption has extended to critical infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities, which are increasingly affected by ongoing hostilities.

In Lebanon, accounts from displaced families illustrate the immediate effects of these developments. Rahaf, aged five, described leaving her home due to safety concerns following nearby bombardments. She expressed a preference to return to familiar surroundings, highlighting the disruption of daily routines such as play and sleep. Another child, Adam, aged ten, recounted a nighttime evacuation marked by repeated airstrikes during transit.

He described the experience as disorienting, with persistent noise and physical tremors contributing to fear during the journey.Testimonies from Iran indicate comparable experiences. Maseeh, aged fourteen, stated that prior exposure to conflict had influenced his reaction, noting a degree of familiarity with such events. However, he acknowledged ongoing stress linked to uncertainty about potential future strikes.

Another teenager, Sina, aged sixteen, pointed to the combined impact of military activity and communication disruptions, including internet blackouts, as contributing to sustained psychological pressure.Field observations suggest that the effects of conflict on children extend beyond immediate physical risks. Behavioral responses, as described by caregivers, include coping mechanisms such as increasing exposure to music to mask the sound of explosions, as well as frequent communication among peers to confirm safety.

Questions about the continuity of education and the duration of hostilities appear to be common among affected children, according to parental accounts.Maryam noted that her children’s reactions often manifest in subtle ways, including heightened vigilance and repeated inquiries about safety and future developments. She indicated that this is not their first exposure to conflict, underscoring the cumulative nature of such experiences in certain regions.

The recurrence of these events raises concerns about long-term psychological impacts, particularly in contexts where access to consistent mental health support may be limited.Humanitarian organizations report that interventions are underway to address both immediate and longer-term needs. These include the provision of emergency supplies such as bedding, hygiene kits, and water, as well as efforts to deliver mental health and psychosocial support services.

Such programs aim to mitigate the effects of trauma and provide structured support for children and families navigating displacement and uncertainty.Despite these efforts, operational challenges persist due to the scale and frequency of the incidents. Displacement sites, including repurposed public buildings such as schools, are accommodating large numbers of families, often under constrained conditions.

The conversion of educational facilities into shelters further disrupts access to schooling, compounding the broader impact on children’s development.International humanitarian law stipulates the protection of civilians, including children, and the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure during armed conflict. However, reports from multiple locations indicate that these provisions are not consistently upheld.

The targeting or incidental damage of schools and healthcare facilities has been documented, raising concerns among international observers and aid agencies regarding compliance with established norms.Maryam also described the psychological burden experienced by caregivers, noting difficulties in maintaining a sense of security for children amid ongoing uncertainty.

She reported sleep disruption driven by concerns about responding to emergencies in a timely manner. Her account reflects a broader trend in which parents are managing both their own stress and the emotional needs of their children under prolonged conditions of instability.In addition to immediate safety concerns, there is evidence of longer-term social and developmental implications.

Repeated displacement, interruptions in education, and sustained exposure to violence are factors associated with adverse outcomes in child development, according to existing research cited by humanitarian agencies. The normalization of conflict within childhood environments represents a significant shift with potential generational effects.

Maryam indicated that she attempts to shield her children from the most distressing aspects of the situation, drawing on her own experiences of growing up in a conflict-affected environment. At the same time, she acknowledged limitations in her ability to fully mitigate the impact. She also referred to a broader awareness of families who have experienced greater losses, including those unable to provide similar levels of protection.

The current trajectory of events suggests that children in affected areas are likely to remain exposed to a combination of direct and indirect risks associated with armed conflict.

The persistence of hostilities, coupled with infrastructural disruptions and displacement, continues to shape the daily experiences of families across the region.

The strikes hit the village of Jilli on Saturday, with casualty figures varying widely. A UN security report seen by AFP said at least 56 people were killed and 14 injured when Nigerian Air Force fighter jets carried out the operation targeting suspected militants.

Amnesty International said more than 100 people were killed and 35 seriously wounded, while local chief Lawan Zanna Nur estimated total casualties, including injured, at around 200. A market committee member, Bulama Mulima Abbas, said 36 bodies had been counted at the scene, describing the victims as traders.

The Nigerian military said it had conducted a “precision air strike” on a known militant enclave and logistics hub near Jilli, reporting that “scores of terrorists” were killed but making no reference to civilian casualties.

In a separate statement, the air force said it had launched an investigation into reports that the strike may have hit a local market, causing civilian deaths.

Nigeria has faced repeated incidents of civilian casualties during air operations against insurgents, including fighters from Boko Haram and its splinter faction Islamic State West Africa Province, which have waged an insurgency since 2009.

Recent cases include a January 2025 airstrike in Zamfara state that killed at least 16 people after vigilantes were mistaken for armed groups, and a December 2023 strike in Kaduna state that killed at least 85 people when a religious gathering was misidentified as militants.

Violence has intensified in recent months, with more than 100 people killed across northern Nigeria in the past 10 days in attacks attributed to both insurgents and criminal gangs, according to local accounts.The security situation has drawn international scrutiny, including from Donald Trump, whose administration has pressed Nigeria to intensify its campaign against militant groups.

The United States has also deployed about 200 troops to provide technical and training support to Nigerian forces.

Nigeria’s government has stepped up legal action against suspected militants, with Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi saying authorities had prosecuted 508 cases and secured nearly 386 convictions in mass terrorism trials.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London “strongly” supports including Lebanon in the ceasefire, citing humanitarian concerns following the latest Israeli attacks. “We do want to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon,” she told Sky News, adding that the scale of displacement and civilian impact was deeply troubling.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in strikes on Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest days in the current phase of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The calls were echoed by Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, who said Israeli actions were placing the ceasefire under “severe strain” and that the truce should be broadened to include Lebanon.

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot also condemned the strikes, describing them as “unacceptable.”U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran to enable negotiations after weeks of conflict that disrupted global energy markets and heightened geopolitical risk.

However, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Lebanon was not part of the agreement, warning that any collapse in talks over the issue would be Tehran’s responsibility.

Iran signaled growing frustration, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, alongside other concerns, had undermined the basis for negotiations and made further talks “unreasonable.”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, described the scale of casualties in Lebanon as “horrific,” particularly after strikes in densely populated areas of Beirut that reportedly occurred without prior warning.

The escalation comes ahead of planned talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Pakistan, where mediators have urged all parties to maintain restraint. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for adherence to the ceasefire to allow diplomacy to proceed.

Tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, as uncertainty persists over maritime security and oil flows following recent disruptions.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had resumed rocket fire toward Israel in response to continued strikes, signaling a potential widening of hostilities despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 203 people were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in widespread Israeli strikes on Wednesday, marking the deadliest day in over five weeks of renewed fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said Israel was continuing to strike Hezbollah targets with “force, precision, and determination,” adding that operations would persist until security is restored in northern Israel.

The Israeli military said it was also conducting ground operations in southern Lebanon and had struck crossings used by Hezbollah fighters, along with weapons storage sites and command centers.The escalation comes despite a ceasefire announced earlier this week by U.S. President Donald Trump following heightened tensions with Iran.

Israel and Washington have said the truce does not apply to Lebanon, while other countries have called for its expansion to include the country.Lebanon’s cabinet moved to tighten state control over security, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam directing authorities to restrict weapons in Beirut to state institutions.

The government had previously banned Hezbollah’s military activities, though the group has continued operations.Iran warned that continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah would carry “explicit costs and strong responses,” as diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader conflict remained uncertain.

Tehran has said no agreement would be reached while strikes on Lebanon continue.The Israeli military said it had killed a relative of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem in recent strikes, identifying him as a close aide involved in the group’s operations.

Hezbollah said it had resumed attacks on Israeli positions after initially indicating it would pause operations in line with the ceasefire, firing across the border and targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

Rescue teams continued searching for survivors under rubble in Beirut and other affected areas after strikes hit densely populated neighborhoods, many without prior warning, according to local accounts.

The conflict has also intensified pressure on global energy markets, with disruptions linked to the broader regional crisis pushing oil prices sharply higher and raising concerns about supply stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the two sides, along with China, committed to continued dialogue after seven days of negotiations in the western Chinese city.

The parties agreed to address key issues in bilateral relations, with terrorism identified as the central concern affecting ties.

“The three parties agreed to explore a comprehensive solution to the issues in the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and clarified the core and priority issues that need to be addressed,” Mao said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.Both Afghanistan and Pakistan pledged they would not take actions that could “escalate or complicate the situation,” according to the Chinese readout.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the talks concluded in a “constructive atmosphere,” focusing on security, bilateral relations and regional stability.

Writing on X, he thanked Beijing for facilitating the discussions and expressed hope the process would build trust and enhance cooperation.There was no immediate comment from Pakistan on the outcome of the talks.

The discussions were convened after fighting that began in February escalated into what Pakistan described as “open war,” including airstrikes inside Afghanistan, among them in the capital Kabul.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the conflict has displaced about 94,000 people, while roughly 100,000 residents in two Afghan border districts have been cut off from assistance since the violence began.

Despite the talks, Afghan officials have continued to accuse Pakistan of cross-border shelling, while Islamabad has long alleged that Afghanistan provides safe haven to militants, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an insurgent group allied with the Afghan Taliban.

Kabul denies the operations.

The statement came as hostilities persist despite a two-week truce between Washington and Tehran following weeks of heightened conflict. While Pakistan and Iran have indicated that the ceasefire should apply more broadly across the region, including Lebanon, the United States and Israel have maintained that the agreement does not extend to Israeli operations there.

“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon,” the foreign ministry said, adding that the strikes had resulted in civilian casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure.

It described the actions as a “blatant violation of international law and fundamental humanitarian principles.”Islamabad called on the international community to take “urgent and concrete steps” to halt the attacks, warning that continued escalation risks derailing broader peace efforts in an already volatile region.

The ministry also reiterated Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, expressing solidarity with its government and people.Lebanon has long been a focal point of regional tensions due to the presence of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group operating along Israel’s northern border.

Israel has repeatedly conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, arguing that the group poses a direct security threat.

The continuation of Israeli operations in Lebanon despite the U.S.-Iran ceasefire highlights the limited scope of the truce and underscores the risk of a wider regional spillover, as multiple actors remain engaged in parallel conflicts.

A proposal brokered by Pakistan called for an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the strait, followed by negotiations on a broader settlement within weeks, according to a source familiar with the plan. Iran declined the offer, instead outlining conditions including sanctions relief, regional de-escalation, and reconstruction measures, state media reported.

Trump reiterated threats to target Iranian infrastructure if Tehran failed to meet his demands by the deadline, warning that bridges and power plants could be destroyed. He said the United States could “take out” the country if an agreement was not reached.Fighting continued across the region.

The Israeli military said it carried out airstrikes on Iranian government infrastructure in Tehran and other areas, while intercepting missiles launched from Iran. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting ballistic missiles over its eastern region, with debris falling near energy facilities, and issued public safety alerts alongside the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Iran’s envoy to the United Nations condemned the U.S. threats as a violation of international law, while senior Iranian officials dismissed Trump’s warnings. Authorities also called for civilian demonstrations to protect infrastructure sites.

A synagogue in central Tehran was damaged by a projectile, according to local media, as the conflict widened beyond military targets.Global oil markets remained under pressure, with prices hovering around $110 per barrel amid uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply.

The continued disruption has raised concerns about inflation and energy security worldwide.The conflict, which began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has led to thousands of casualties across the region.

A U.S. fighter jet was also downed last week, underscoring the escalating risks for Washington as the crisis deepens.