Iran strikes jihadi group in Pakistan

By Editor On Jan 18, 2024

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Good morning. Iran has attacked a jihadi group in Pakistan, increasing tensions between the neighbouring states following similar attacks by the Islamic republic in Iraq and Syria.

Iranian media late on Tuesday reported the destruction of two bases of Jaish ul-Adl in the remote western province of Balochistan, which borders Iran. The Pakistan-based Sunni militant group has waged an armed campaign against Tehran since its foundation in 2012.

Pakistan “strongly condemned” the missile and drone strikes, saying two children were killed and three injured in the attack. The country recalled its ambassador from Iran and ordered the Iranian ambassador to Islamabad, who is at present visiting Tehran, to “not return for the time being” as the diplomatic spat between the countries quickly escalated.

The attack came at a time of increasing fear of a broader conflict in the Middle East as tensions have soared since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7. The full story has more on the strikes and how Pakistan could respond.

Diplomatic push: The US is stepping up efforts to broker a diplomatic solution to the intensifying hostilities between Israel and Lebanon’s Hizbollah, as fears grow in Washington that the window is narrowing to avert a full-blown war erupting on the shared border.

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Monetary policy: The European Central Bank publishes the minutes of its latest rate-setting meeting.
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