Washington backed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after it bombed major cities in Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbors.
The Taliban government in Kabul stressed that it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence between the two countries intensified.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahi said: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve problems through dialogue, and now we also want to resolve this matter through dialogue,” he said.
The Pakistani strikes hit parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday, it said.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif earlier said his country was in an “open war” with Afghanistan and that patience had run out in Islamabad.
The latest wave of attacks came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night, which Afghanistan says was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas last weekend.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militant groups that carry out attacks across the border – a claim denied by Kabul – and of allying itself with India, its historical enemy and regional rival.
The UK and EU called for a rapid de-escalation of tensions and urged both sides to resume negotiations. While a Qatar-brokered ceasefire ended the fighting in 2025, talks in Istanbul in November did not result in a formal peace agreement.
Allison Hooker, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs, spoke Friday with Amna Baloch, Pakistan’s foreign minister, and expressed condolences “for the lives lost” in the recent violence with Afghanistan.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation and express our support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” Hooker wrote in X.
Pakistan is a key ally of Washington, which considers the Afghan Taliban – who returned to power in Kabul in 2021, after the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces – a “terrorist” group.
The European Union called for an “immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities” and warned of possible “serious implications” for the region.
“The EU reiterates that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective measures against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan,” said Kaja Kallas, the bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
“We urge both parties to engage in dialogue,” Kallas added. “All actors must fully respect international law, including humanitarian law. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be ensured, and all possible precautions must be taken to prevent further harm to civilians.”
Yvette Cooper, UK Foreign Secretary, wrote in
with Reuters
