Responding to Iran’s recent rocket and drone strikes against targets inside Pakistan, today, Pakistan’s airforce launched airstrikes against similar targets inside Iran (ref. 1). JF-17 and J-10C strike fighters, supported by Wing Loong UAVs, engaged multiple Baloch separatist sites over the border (ref. 2). These militants have been waging a guerilla war against both Iran and Pakistan. However, Iran regards this action by Pakistan as an attack on its sovereignty. And likewise, Pakistan regards Iran’s action two days ago as an attack on its sovereignty.
It remains to be seen whether full scale war will break out between Iran and Pakistan.
It is also not clear which part of Pakistan is to join the fourth beast – whether it is the government or some rebel group. But some part of Pakistan must do so, because Alexander the Great reached Afghanistan and India, and Pakistan was once a part of India. The Bible suggests that just as the third beast more or less encompassed the second, so must the fourth encompass the third.
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, a region disputed by India and Pakistan, an Indian soldier has just been killed, and another injured, after a landmine exploded near the line of control (ref. 3). This is a reminder that in due course, India and Pakistan will also be at it.
In regard to the tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and Pakistan, India has voiced support for Iran.
Bear in mind also, there are border issues between India and China that flare up from time to time.
To add to all that, there is a civil war of sorts going on in neighbouring Myanmar, fighting between the military-led government and various separatist groups.
I think it can be said that never before have there been so many instances of wars and rumours of wars across the world, conflicts that involve both nations and kingdoms. A kingdom is a semi-independent realm within a nation.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…
Matthew 24:6-7
For centuries, there have always been wars and rumours of wars. But never before has there been so many, at more or less the same time, and for all sorts of seemingly different reasons.
References:
1. ABC (19 Jan 2024), “Tensions rise after Pakistan launches deadly retaliatory air strikes against Iran”, abc.net.au
2. Ritu Sharma (18 Jan 2024), “Pakistan’s JF-17, J-10C Fighters Conduct Retaliatory Strikes On Iran; Tehran Confirms 7 Killed”, eurasiantimes.com
3. Ashraf Wani (19 Jan 2024), “Army jawan killed, another hurt in landmine explosion near LoC in J-K’s Nowshera”, indiatoday.in