Day: May 5, 2026

Iran says US military attacked civilian ships, killed 5 in Strait of Hormuz

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The United States military said it fired on Iranian forces and sank six small boats targeting civilian ships as it moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, May 4. The attack resulted in the killing of five civilians by the American naval forces, the Iranians said, according to Al Jazeera.

They have denied the Americans’ claim that the boats belonged to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and maintained that they were civilian boats.

The US destroyers (warships) tried entering the Strait of Hormuz with their radar off, the Iranians said. The warships were only detected after their radar was turned on, with Iran’s naval forces constantly monitoring the region. Immediately after being identified, Iranian forces engaged them and fired warning shots, Al Jazeera reported.

The warning shots consisted of missiles, rockets and combat drones, forcing the US destroyers to turn back. The attacks came a day after US President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom,” warning Iran would face severe consequences if it targeted American ships.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, said it had come under attack from Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.

Tehran did not outright confirm or deny the attacks but early on Tuesday, May 5, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that both the US and the UAE “should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire.”

In similarly vague terms, Iranian state television earlier quoted an anonymous military official as saying Tehran had had “no plan” to target the UAE or one of its oil fields.

PM Modi condemns attacks on UAE that injured three Indians

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday strongly condemned the attacks on the United Arab Emirates’ port city of Fujairah that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals.

Modi’s sharp denouncement of the attacks came a day after the Indians were injured after drone strikes caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.

“Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable,” Modi said on social media.

“India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and reiterates its support for the peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.

The prime minister also asserted that ensuring “safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for enduring regional peace, stability and global energy security.”

The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.

The UAE’s defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.

Thailand approves USD 12.2 bn emergency borrowing

Thailand’s government has agreed to an emergency package to help with the economic impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, marking one of the largest borrowing plans in the country’s history.

The USD 12.2 billion package, according to lawmakers, will be used to increase domestic spending and mitigate economic hardships. The loan will be issued from June to September and will provide aid for more than 20 million low-income people under the “Thais Help Thais” government initiative to ease living costs.

South Korean commercial vessel damaged in explosion in the Strait of Hormuz

A South Korean commercial ship was damaged after an explosion occurred in the Strait of Hormuz. All 24 passengers on board are reported to be safe.

Hours after the attack, Reuters reported that the country’s presidential office is thinking over whether to join Trump’s “Project Freedom.”

Pakistan Navy aids crew of Indian vessel stranded in Arabian Sea

The Pakistan Navy provided humanitarian assistance to the crew of an Indian offshore tug and supply vessel stranded in the Arabian Sea, according to a media report.

The navy was assisted by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) in the rescue and support operation, the Dawn newspaper reported on Monday, quoting security sources.

The assistance operation for the crew, which included six Indians and one Indonesian national, was launched after the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Mumbai contacted Pakistani authorities and requested assistance, the report said.

The crew had reported a technical fault on MV Gautam, which was en route from Oman to India, the sources said.

Multiple raids conducted in occupied West Bank by Israeli forces

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported Israeli forces conducting several raids in the occupied West Bank overnight on Monday. The forces stormed the villages of Jorat al-Shamaa, Wadi al-Nis and Umm Salamuna, attacking multiple Palestinian homes. The news agency also reported that Israeli militart raided parts of Ramallah in the western region.

No injuries or arrests were recorded from the raids.

Fire reported in southern Iranian port

With the cause still unknown, Iranian state media reported a fire broke out on several commercial ships docked in the southern port of Dayyer.

Head of the port’s fire department, Majid Omrani, told Mehr news agency that firefighters are working to control the fire.

Residents of two Lebanese towns directed to evacuate

The Israeli military issued another round of displacement orders for residents of Jabsheet and Sarafand towns in Lebanon. The locals were asked to evacuate “immediately and move away from the villages anf towns for a distance of at least 1,000 metres to open areas.” https://www.siasat.com/iran-says-us-military-attacked-civilian-ships-killed-5-in-strait-of-hormuz-3465587/

Afghanistan says Pakistan strikes killed three civilians

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Kabul: Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out cross-border attacks into its territory on Monday, May 4, that hit civilian areas, killing at least three people and wounding 14, as tension between the two neighbours remains high despite recent peace talks.

Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said on X that the attacks also destroyed two schools, two mosques and a health centre in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry rejected the allegation in a post on X, saying that Fitrat’s accusations follow recent cross-border firing from Afghan territory into Pakistan. Those attacks, in March and April, killed nine women and children in Bajaur, a district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

It said Bajaur attacks “exposed the Afghan regime’s reckless and shameful actions.” The ministry also argued that images circulated with the latest Afghan claim show damage “inconsistent with artillery impact,” citing intact roofs and localised breakage as indicators of possible staged destruction.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had been embroiled in months of deadly fighting that killed hundreds of people since late February, when Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants that carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. The group is separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since it seized power in the country in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops. Kabul denies the charge.

In early April, Afghan and Pakistani officials met for Chinese-mediated peace talks in western China. The two sides agreed not to escalate the conflict and “explore a comprehensive solution,” Beijing said at the time. But some cross-border clashes have continued, although at a lower intensity than before the talks. https://www.siasat.com/afghanistan-says-pakistan-strikes-killed-three-civilians-3465462/

UN Warns of Rising Shelter Needs in Afghanistan Ahead of Global Forum

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As Afghanistan faces mounting housing pressures, the UN-Habitat said shelter challenges will be a key focus at the upcoming World Urban Forum in Baku later this month.

UN-Habitat said more than five million migrants have returned to Afghanistan since 2023, increasing strain on already limited housing and urban services, with informal settlements expanding rapidly across major cities.

In the capital Kabul, around four in five residents are estimated to be living in informal areas with limited access to basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity, highlighting the scale of the crisis.

The agency warned that the influx of returnees has compounded existing shortages, making access to adequate housing more difficult and increasing pressure on fragile urban infrastructure.

Afghanistan’s housing sector has been severely impacted by years of conflict, economic decline and limited investment, leaving millions without access to safe and durable shelter, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

Humanitarian agencies estimate that about four million people in Afghanistan will require emergency shelter assistance this year, underscoring urgent needs as displacement and return movements continue.

The World Urban Forum, scheduled from May 17 to 22, is expected to bring together global policymakers and development actors to address urban challenges, with Afghanistan’s housing crisis emerging as a key concern.

UN-Habitat said addressing informal settlements and expanding access to basic services will be critical to improving living conditions and supporting long-term stability in the country. https://www.khaama.com/un-warns-of-rising-shelter-needs-in-afghanistan-ahead-of-global-forum/

Afghanistan National Team to Play in Maldives Four-Nation Tournament

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Afghanistan’s national football team will take part in a four-nation tournament hosted by the Maldives next month, as part of preparations to strengthen international competitiveness, the Afghanistan Football Federation said.

According to the federation, the matches will be held in the Maldives from early June through June 10, bringing together regional teams in a series of multi-nation fixtures. Alongside Afghanistan, teams from Pakistan and the host nation will compete, while Bangladesh will be represented by its under-23 squad.

The tournament is aimed at giving Afghanistan’s players more match exposure and evaluating their performance against regional opponents, as the team continues efforts to rebuild and maintain its presence on the international stage.

Afghanistan has faced persistent challenges in recent years, including limited access to training facilities, funding constraints and disruptions to domestic football structures. Despite this, the national side has continued to participate in international competitions and training camps to remain active within global football.

The country is a member of the Asian Football Confederation and has previously competed in regional tournaments such as the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and the South Asian Football Federation Championship, seeking to improve its ranking and performance.

International tournaments like this four-nation event are seen as critical for teams with limited competitive exposure, offering opportunities to build cohesion, test tactical strategies and gain match fitness ahead of more formal competitions.

Regional football in South Asia has grown increasingly competitive in recent years, with countries investing more in youth development and international exposure. For Afghanistan, participation in such tournaments remains a key step toward rebuilding momentum and strengthening its position in Asian football. https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-national-team-to-play-in-maldives-four-nation-tournament/

Three Killed, 14 Injured In Pakistan’s Strikes In Afghanistan’s Kunar: Taliban

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Kabul: Three people were killed and 14 others injured during Pakistan army’s fresh strikes on Dangam district in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, the Taliban regime said on Monday.

A Taliban district official said that two schools, a clinic and two mosques were destroyed in Pakistan’s attack, Afghanistan International reported. However, the official have not revealed the exact timing of the attacks.

Taliban district governor in Dangam, Mohammad Omar Sadiq, stated that Pakistani army has lost its ability to attack directly and has started targetting civilian facilities. He added that 80 head of livestock were killed in the strikes. The official said that 12 schools have been destroyed since the start of Pakistan’s attacks on Kunar province.

On April 28, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul over the recent attacks carried out by the Pakistani forces on civilian targets in various Afghan provinces.

Kabul also handed a protest letter to the Pakistani diplomat over Islamabad targetting public facilities along the Durand Line and the university in the centre of Kunar province.

The Ministry strongly condemned the violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and the attacks against civilians.

It stated that the actions of Pakistani forces are a clear violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, contrary to international principles, and a provocative act.

“The Islamic Emirate categorically rejects allegations that the recent escalation started by the Afghan side, and underscores the imperative that the root causes of the situation must be investigated with due diligence,” the Afghan ministry said.

Calling on the Pakistani side to refrain from such actions, Afghanistan reiterated that it reserves a legitimate right to defend its soil and people. It also reminded Pakistan that the continuation of such “irresponsible actions” will have “undesirable consequences”.

Last week, at least seven people were killed and 75 injured after Pakistani strikes hit parts of Afghanistan’s Kunar province, including the provincial capital, Asadabad and Sarkano district, Afghanistan’s leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

Local sources said that the strikes hit several places, including residential areas and Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University, where mortar rounds targetted the campus, causing damage and panic among students and employees. Authorities said at least 30 students and staff were injured in the strike on the university, Khaama Press reported.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated over the past few months, with repeated exchanges of fire and growing concerns over civilian casualties. The two nations have accused each other of contributing to instability, while diplomatic and local mediation efforts have remained futile to stop further escalation. https://ommcomnews.com/world-news/three-killed-14-injured-in-pakistans-strikes-in-afghanistans-kunar-taliban/

Afghanistan III: American boots on the ground

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America’s engagement is yet another chapter in Afghanistan’s long history.

Welcome back to SNAFUBAR. For today’s episode, we’re wrapping up our three part series on Afghanistan and the United States’ involvement and relationship with the country. We’ll be discussing some of the history from the post Cold War era to today, including U.S. military involvement and the subsequent War on Terror. We’ll also discuss the continuing dynamics between the two countries, and the most recent withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2021.

SNAFUBAR is hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sara Hart⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who teaches Religious Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeff Crane ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who is an Environmental Historian and Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt.

Research and writing for the show is done by Liam Salcuni and Roman Sotomayor

SNAFUBAR is produced by Abigail Smithson and brought to you by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt. https://www.khsu.org/show/snafubar/2026-05-04/afghanistan-iii-american-boots-on-the-ground