U.S. Says It Supports Pakistan's 'Right to Defend Itself' Against Afghan Taliban

AP

The Harry S. Truman Building, headquarters for the State Department, is seen in Washington.

The United States on Friday expressed support for what it described as Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” against attacks by Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, after Islamabad earlier stated that the two neighbouring countries were in “open war”.

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities said they were prepared to enter negotiations after Pakistan carried out air strikes against their forces in major cities.

"The United States supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group," a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement. U.S. diplomat Allison Hooker said on X she spoke on Friday with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state with military capabilities far exceeding those of Afghanistan. However, the Taliban have proven highly adept at guerrilla warfare, hardened by decades of conflict with U.S.-led forces before returning to power in 2021 following Washington’s withdrawal.

Pakistan is designated a major non-NATO ally of the United States, while Washington classifies the Afghan Taliban as a terrorist organisation.

The latest violence erupted after Pakistani air strikes on Afghan territory last weekend prompted retaliatory attacks along the border on Thursday. The escalation has intensified long-standing tensions, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harbouring Pakistani Taliban militants. Kabul rejects the allegation, arguing that Islamabad is deflecting responsibility for its own security challenges.

The State Department spokesperson said Washington was aware of the escalation in tensions and "outbreak of fighting between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban," adding the U.S. was "saddened by the loss of life."

Both sides reported heavy losses in the fighting, which Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said amounted to an "open war".

"The Taliban have consistently failed to uphold their counterterrorism commitments," the State Department said, adding that "terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad for their heinous attacks."

Source: Reuters




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