One potential area of vulnerability is Tajikistan, Central Asia’s poorest country, which has a weak military and a long border with Afghanistan.
On the same day as the Kabul bombing, the Chinese embassy in Tajikistan issued a travel warning, telling its citizens and companies to boost security and evacuate from the border region “as soon as possible” – after four gunmen were killed trying to cross the border from Afghanistan.
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Here is what we know about the tensions in the region and what the stakes are for China.
What is the situation along the border?
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, cross-border clashes have flared up regularly with both sides accusing the other of sheltering hostile forces.
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This situation is a highly complicated one, including clashes between the Taliban and Tajik forces, as well as others involving armed militant groups.
