US President Donald Trump on Friday refused to intervene in the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict. He also mentioned that Pakistan's military chief, General Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are "great leaders."
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, "I would (intervene), but you have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader. I think they are two of the people that I really respect a lot. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well." These comments came at a time when Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced a state of open war with the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Pakistan targeted at least 29 locations across the neighboring country, including sites in Kandahar and Kabul, on Friday.
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Sharif Orders to ‘Crush’ Agressors
A Pakistani government spokesperson claimed 297 Afghan Taliban and militants had been gunned down, while Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Afghan forces killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured many others. These were Pakistan's most significant attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal.
A few hours later, Sharif stated that Pakistan's armed forces can "crush" aggressors. "Our forces have the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces," Sharif said.
A US State Department spokesperson said that the Trump administration supports Pakistan's "right to defend itself" against Taliban attacks. The spokesperson then lambasted the Taliban's approach to counterterrorism commitments, stating that the Taliban have consistently failed to uphold their commitments, allowing violence to destabilize the region while terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad for heinous attacks. Meanwhile, Britain called for de-escalation, China called for a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate.
US Embassy In Pakistan Issues Advisory
The US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan advised American citizens to be cautious when visiting certain locations. "Law enforcement facilities, military installations, and major commercial centers remain likely targets for terrorist organizations," the advisory stated. US citizens were urged to exercise caution when visiting such locations, particularly during peak hours.
Donald Trump has once again changed the dynamics of US-Pakistan relations after assuming power for the second time. Islamabad has also often praised Trump for his mediation of conflicts and suggested he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. While Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of Washington, the Afghan Taliban is considered a terrorist group by the US.