Trump declines to intervene in Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes, praising Islamabad’s leadership as cross-border strikes intensify and global powers urge restraint amid mounting regional tension.
US President Donald Trump has declined to intervene in escalating hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, even as Islamabad declared what it described as an “open war” following a wave of cross-border strikes.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump struck a notably warm tone towards Pakistan’s leadership. Asked whether Washington would step in to defuse the crisis, he replied: “I would, but you have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader.” He went on to praise Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying he respected both figures and believed Pakistan was “doing terrifically well”.
The remarks came as Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced a state of “open war” with Afghanistan after days of mounting tension. Pakistani authorities said their forces had carried out aerial strikes on 29 locations inside Afghanistan, including areas in Kandahar and Kabul. Officials in Islamabad claimed that 297 Afghan Taliban fighters and militants were killed in the operation.
The Taliban administration in Kabul, however, rejected those figures. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghan forces had killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several others in retaliatory action. The exchange marks the most significant military confrontation between the two neighbours since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the US withdrawal.
In Islamabad, Sharif declared that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of crushing any aggression. “The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces,” he said, projecting unity amid rising regional alarm.
Washington has stopped short of direct involvement but signalled diplomatic backing for Pakistan’s security concerns. A US State Department spokesperson said the United States supports Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” against Taliban-linked attacks, while criticising the Taliban for failing to meet counterterrorism commitments. According to the spokesperson, militant groups have continued to use Afghan territory as a base for destabilising violence.
Other global powers have urged restraint. Britain called for de-escalation, China pressed for a ceasefire, and Iran offered to mediate between the two sides, reflecting fears that sustained clashes could destabilise the wider region.
The US Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan issued a security advisory warning that law enforcement facilities, military installations and major commercial centres could remain targets for terrorist organisations. American citizens were urged to exercise caution, particularly in high-risk areas and during peak hours.
