Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The United States has voiced support for what it calls “Pakistan’s right to self-defense” following an escalation in conflict with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. The statement came on Friday, after Islamabad described clashes between the two nations as amounting to “open warfare.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said Washington backs Pakistan’s actions in response to attacks originating from Taliban Afghanistan, which the U.S. Has specifically designated as a global terrorist group.
“The United States supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks from the Taliban,” the spokesperson said in a statement delivered via email, according to Reuters on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
U.S. Diplomat Allison Hooker also spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Amna Baloch on Friday to discuss the evolving situation.
Meanwhile, the Taliban government in Afghanistan has expressed a willingness to negotiate, following Pakistani airstrikes targeting their forces in several major cities.
Pakistan holds a significant military advantage, including possession of nuclear weapons and a substantially larger conventional fighting force compared to Afghanistan. However, the Taliban are known for their extensive experience in guerilla warfare, honed over decades of conflict, including against U.S.-led forces.
Pakistan is a key U.S. Ally outside of NATO, while Washington continues to classify the Taliban in Afghanistan as a terrorist organization.
The recent violence was triggered by Pakistani airstrikes within Afghanistan over the weekend. This prompted retaliatory attacks from Afghanistan along the border on Thursday, exacerbating already strained tensions.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or the Pakistani Taliban. Afghanistan denies the accusations, claiming Pakistan is attempting to deflect responsibility for its own security failures.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson acknowledged the increased tensions and outbreak of fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and expressed concern over the loss of life in the conflict.
Both sides have reported significant casualties. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the situation as equivalent to “open war.”
“The Taliban have consistently failed to meet their counter-terrorism commitments,” the State Department said, adding that “terrorist groups are using Afghanistan as a launching pad for their heinous attacks.”
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Escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan are raising concerns about regional stability, as the U.S. Continues to designate the Taliban as a terrorist organization.
On March 1, 2026, the United States affirmed its support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself amid growing conflict with the Taliban government. The move comes as Pakistan characterizes recent clashes as constituting “open warfare,” signaling a dangerous turn in relations between the two neighboring nations.
According to reports, the U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that Washington supports Pakistan’s response to attacks originating from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a group the U.S. Continues to recognize as a global terrorist threat.
Diplomatic efforts are underway, with U.S. Diplomat Allison Hooker engaging in discussions with Pakistani Foreign Minister Amna Baloch on Friday to address the rapidly developing situation.
The Taliban government, for its part, has indicated a willingness to negotiate a resolution following Pakistani airstrikes targeting their forces in multiple cities. Despite possessing a significant military advantage – including nuclear capabilities and a larger conventional force – the Taliban’s decades of experience in guerilla warfare present a formidable challenge.
The current crisis stems from Pakistani airstrikes conducted within Afghanistan last weekend, which were followed by retaliatory attacks from Afghanistan along the shared border on Thursday. Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan is providing safe haven to militants associated with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusations that Afghanistan denies, claiming Pakistan is attempting to shift blame for its own security shortcomings.
Both sides have reported casualties, with Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif characterizing the situation as an “open war.” The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the loss of life and reiterated that the Taliban “have consistently failed to meet their counter-terrorism commitments,” allowing terrorist groups to operate from within Afghanistan.
The development underscores growing regional tensions and the complex challenges facing Pakistan as it confronts the threat of cross-border terrorism.
