The United States said Friday it supports Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after Islamabad launched airstrikes on neighboring Afghanistan and declared war against its Taliban-led government following escalating clashes, reports AFP.
Allison Hooker, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, said Washington was closely monitoring developments. In a post on X after talks with Pakistan’s foreign secretary, she expressed support for Pakistan’s right to respond to attacks attributed to the Taliban.
Hooker also conveyed US condolences to Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch for lives lost in the recent fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban. Her statement did not include a call for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Other global powers urged restraint. United Kingdom called for “de-escalation,” China appealed for a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate.
Pakistan’s bombardment of major Afghan cities marks its most significant military action since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the US withdrawal.
The Afghan conflict previously strained relations between Washington and Islamabad. Former president Joe Biden had kept Pakistan at arm’s length over its past ties to the Taliban during the US-backed government in Kabul.
However, President Donald Trump has shifted course, strengthening ties with Pakistan. Islamabad has publicly praised Trump’s mediation efforts during last year’s tensions with India and said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize.
Asked about the latest strikes on Afghanistan, Trump praised Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
“You have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader. I think two of the people that I really respect a lot,” Trump told reporters, adding, “I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well.”
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
