Death of Dozens of Members of the 'Haqqani Network' and 'ISIS' in Attacks in Pakistan and Yemen

According to reports, at least 20 members of the 'Haqqani Network' have been killed in a drone strike, likely belonging to the U.S. military, in Pakistan. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Defense states that its military has killed 'dozens' of ISIS members in Yemen. The drone strike, reportedly conducted by the U.S. military, occurred in the tribal area of Kurram (Pashto: Kormi) on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Initial reports indicated the deaths of five militants, but security officials later reported the discovery of 15 more bodies. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, heavily criticized Pakistan during the announcement of his administration's strategy regarding Afghanistan last August, stating that Washington could no longer remain silent about Pakistan becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups, including the Taliban. The National Assembly of Pakistan officially described these remarks as 'hostile' and 'threatening.' Current reports suggest that if the recent drone strike was indeed conducted by the U.S. military, it would be the second such incident since Trump's strategy announcement. This attack also occurred shortly after the release of an American-Canadian family held hostage by the Haqqani Network, a group linked to the Taliban. Officials have stated that the number of Haqqani Network members present at the targeted location indicates that it was one of their main centers in the region. Officials have also mentioned that the missile fired from the drone struck an area very close to the Afghan border, with some officials even suggesting that the target might have been inside Afghan territory. Pakistan has repeatedly protested against U.S. airstrikes on its territory. The United States, on the other hand, has accused Pakistan of providing a safe haven for 'terrorist groups' and extremists. Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, stated in an interview with Geo TV that the U.S. should refrain from attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan while peace negotiations are ongoing. He mentioned that this issue would be reflected in discussions with U.S. leaders. New negotiations regarding Afghanistan began on October 15 in Muscat. Concurrently with the reports of the attack on the Haqqani Network, the Pentagon confirmed in an official statement that the U.S. military has killed 'dozens' of ISIS members in two training camps in Yemen. The camps targeted were located in Al-Bayda province, and according to the Pentagon's statement, militants were being trained in the use of AK-47s and mortars. The U.S. Department of Defense states that the group known as the Islamic State uses remote areas in Yemen, which are largely uncontrolled, to gather forces, plan direct attacks, or provoke against the U.S. and its allies worldwide.