More Violence in the NATO-Pakistan Conflict
Paulina Slagter
Tensions are high in Pakistan between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) officials and Pakistani militants, as another NATO oil tanker convoy has been attacked this week. Unknown attackers opened fire on the tankers late Sunday at an industrial site in Islamabad. Twenty-eight tankers burst into flames from the attack, leaving six dead. The attack follows another attack on 27 fuel-carrying tankers for the NATO troops on Friday. These attacks, which the Taliban have claimed responsibility for, come amid a conflict between NATO and Pakistan after a recent cross-border strike killed three Pakistani troops. The Pakistani government has continued to stop supplies from getting to NATO troops in Afghanistan by blocking a main supply route. Pakistan is a crucial ally for the United States in its efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. These disputes between NATO forces and Pakistani militants could permanently hurt relations between the two. About 3/4 of all cargo for NATO forces in Afghanistan travels through Pakistan, most of it via two main border crossings: Chaman north of Quetta in Baluchistan and Torkham at the Khyber Pass. It is important to preserve relations with Pakistan in order to make progress in Afghanistan.
- NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a military defense alliance where members promise to protect each other against aggressor nations. There are currently 28 members including the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, France and Germany.
- Militants: can be used to describe anyone who uses violence to achieve some larger objective and is not limited to an actual registered soldier
- Cross-border strike: NATO helicopters encroached upon Pakistani airspace in their attempt to track down members of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The air strike killed 3 Pakistani soldiers.
- Pakistani position: Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan is a partner in the war against Islamist militancy but it would not allow anyone to infringe on its sovereignty.
Additional Reading:
-http://www.pakistanconflictmonitor.org
No comments:
Post a Comment