ISLAMABAD: The United States has expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks, as US President Donald Trump publicly praised Pakistan’s leadership amid escalating hostilities with Afghanistan.
Speaking about Pakistan’s leadership, Trump said, “Well, I would, but I get along with Pakistan, as you know, very well, very very well.”
“You have a great prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif], you have a great general [Field Marshal Asim Munir] there, you have a great leader,” he added.
“But I think two of the people that I truly respect a lot, and I think that Pakistan is doing terrifically well.”
His remarks came as Pakistan conducted its most extensive military strikes inside Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, targeting multiple locations, including Kabul and Kandahar, declaring a state of “war” following unprovoked cross-border attacks.
Washington’s position was formally conveyed by Allison Hooker, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, who said the United States “expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks” after talks with a Pakistani counterpart.
Pakistani officials say the strikes were a defensive response to sustained aggression from Afghan soil and aimed at degrading Taliban military capabilities used to threaten Pakistan’s security.
International reactions, however, were mixed. The European Union urged restraint, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling on both sides to de-escalate and return to dialogue amid a sharp rise in violence.
“The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan,” Kallas said in a statement.
Concern over the situation was echoed by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, while Britain, Norway and Azerbaijan also called for immediate de-escalation.
Diplomatic efforts were launched by China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help ease tensions, as Pakistan maintains that its actions fall within its sovereign right to self-defense against cross-border attacks.
