By René Wadlow

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) published at the end of July 2026 a stark report on the armed tensions between groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Some 500 Afghans have been killed, some 1,220 wounded mostly by air attacks, and 150,000 persons have been displaced by the fighting. UNAMA members are not able to investigate in Pakistan, so there are no UN figures on the number of persons killed and wounded in the country.

Most of the deaths by bombing are civilians as there is little fighting by regular armed forces. For the moment, there are no negotiations in good faith between the two countries.

Therefore, the Association of World Citizens appeals to the authorities of Pakistan and the de facto leadership in Afghanistan to undertake conflict resolution efforts. There is a danger that the fighting will spread and be more destructive. Constructive action is needed now.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

Of related interest:

Pakistan-Afghanistan Armed Conflict: Humanitarian Law Needs to be Upheld