China Mediates Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict

0:00It's April 8th. This is Canada News Today, AI Power Stories From Your City. I'm Cory with the Story. China stepped in to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan after weeks of deadly cross-border clashes that killed hundreds. The two sides agreed not to escalate the fighting and to work toward a full solution, with talks wrapping up in the city of Arumchi after seven days. Four ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, announced the deal during a briefing in Beijing, saying all parties committed to ongoing dialogue and pinpointed terrorism as the main problem hurting their ties. The conflict has uprooted 94,000 people in Afghanistan, and about 100,000 folks in two border districts remain cut off. Since it kicked off back in February, both countries pledged no moves to worsen things. Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan for sheltering militants from the Pakistani Taliban or TTP who launch attacks across the border. Afghanistan denies it and hit back with claims of Pakistani shelling even during these

1:03talks. Earlier this week, Afghanistan called the discussions constructive, so while tensions simmer with airstrikes and accusations flying, this mediation offers a real shot at cooling things down before more lives are lost.