US backs Pakistan’s ‘right to defend itself’ against Taliban

WASHINGTON, FEB 28 (APP/DNA):The United States expressed support for “Pakistan’s right to defend itself” with President Donald Trump signaling openness to intervene in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict while praising Islamabad for “doing terrifically well”.

Trump, asked about the strikes on Afghanistan on Friday, praised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Foces Field Marshal Asim Munir.” I would (intervene), but you have a great prime minister, you have a great general there, you have a great leader. I think two of the people that I really respect a lot. I think Pakistan is doing terrifically well,” he told reporters before heading to Texas.

At the same time, a State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement,  “The United States supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.”

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker said on X platform that she spoke on Friday with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.

“Spoke today with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Baloch to express condolences for lives lost in the recent conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban,” she wrote in her post on X.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and express support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” the US diplomat said.

The State Department spokesperson also said Washington was aware of the escalation in tensions and “outbreak of fighting between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban,” adding the U.S. was “saddened by the loss of life.”

“The Taliban have consistently failed to uphold their counterterrorism commitments,” the State Department said, adding that “terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad for their heinous attacks.”

Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of Washington. The U.S. considers the Afghan Taliban to be a “terrorist” group, he further added.