The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has commented on Pakistan’s military action against the Afghan Taliban, saying “Pakistan is doing terrifically well." 

 

Speaking to reporters during a media interaction, Trump was asked about Pakistan’s strikes against the Afghan Taliban. In response to being asked whether he would intervene, he said, “Well, I would, but I get along with Pakistan, as you know, very well. Very, very well.”

 

Referring to Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, Trump said, “They have a great prime minister, a great general there, a great leader, two of the people I really respect a lot,” referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal General Asim Munir. “And I think that Pakistan is doing terrifically well.”

 

In a separate statement, the United States expressed support for Pakistan following its military action inside Afghanistan after cross-border clashes. Allison Hooker, the US under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, said Washington DC was monitoring developments.


“We continue to monitor the situation closely and express support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” Hooker wrote on X after talks with a Pakistani counterpart.

 

The situation also drew a response from the United Nations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who called for an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan following the escalation.

 

“He is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence we're seeing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and he reiterates his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy.”

 

The International Committee of the Red Cross also urged restraint. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said civilians must be protected and access to healthcare ensured.

 

“We are witnessing a profound escalation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” she said, calling for “restraint and de-escalation.”

 

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab ul-Haq on Friday after unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghanistan across multiple areas. An update shared by Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on X at on February 28 said losses attributed to the Afghan Taliban included 331 killed, over 500 injured, 104 check posts destroyed, 22 posts captured, 163 tanks and armed vehicles destroyed, and 37 locations across Afghanistan targeted by air.