The United States voiced its backing for Pakistan’s right to self-defense against assaults from the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan following Pakistan’s declaration of an “open war” between the neighboring nations earlier in the day. Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations after Pakistan conducted airstrikes on their forces in major urban centers.
In an emailed statement, a spokesperson from the State Department affirmed the U.S. support for Pakistan’s defensive actions against the Taliban, recognized as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. U.S. diplomat Allison Hooker disclosed that she had discussions with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on the matter.
Pakistan, possessing nuclear capabilities and a significantly superior military compared to Afghanistan, faces a challenge from the Taliban’s guerrilla warfare tactics honed over years of conflict with U.S.-led forces, culminating in their resurgence to power in 2021 following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.
As a key non-NATO ally, Pakistan has the support of Washington, which classifies the Afghan Taliban as a terrorist organization. Recent hostilities erupted after Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory prompted retaliatory attacks from Afghanistan along the border, intensifying longstanding tensions over Pakistan’s allegations that Afghanistan harbors Pakistani Taliban militants, a claim denied by Afghanistan.
Acknowledging the escalation in tensions and the clash between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, the State Department conveyed its sorrow over the loss of life resulting from the conflict. Both sides suffered significant casualties in the skirmishes, with Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif characterizing the situation as an “open war.”
Pointing out the Taliban’s failure to fulfill counterterrorism commitments, the State Department underscored the exploitation of Afghanistan as a base for launching reprehensible attacks by terrorist groups.
