US backs Pakistan’s right to self-defence amid UN gridlock

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday said it supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks as intermittent clashes continue along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Speaking on the situation, the US State Department said, “The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists,” adding that Washington supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against such attacks. The remarks come as tensions remain high between the two neighbouring countries following their worst military confrontation in years in February.

Earlier this week, the United Nations said at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes along the Afghan border.

The Afghan Taliban later said they had carried out airstrikes inside Pakistani territory, while Islamabad maintained its forces intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones in Balochistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of providing sanctuary to militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban, however, deny the allegations, insisting militancy is Pakistan’s internal issue and accusing Islamabad of shifting blame for its own security challenges.

Pakistan, a major non-NATO ally of the United States, has seen ties with Washington improve since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Islamabad has been playing a mediating role in efforts to resolve the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.