US says it supports Pakistan's right to defend itself amid renewed conflict with Afghanistan

The United States has affirmed its support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, as intermittent conflict continues along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the significant suffering of the Pakistani people due to terrorism.

This statement comes as Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring terrorists who allegedly plot attacks within Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban, who govern Afghanistan, have rejected these accusations, asserting that terrorism is an internal Pakistani problem and that Islamabad is deflecting blame for its own security failures.

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supports Pakistan's right to defend itself against terrorist attacks

Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have seen improvement, particularly since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, with Pakistan maintaining its status as a major non-NATO ally. Pakistan has also played a role in mediating efforts related to the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Despite these improving diplomatic ties, the U.S. officially designates the Afghan Taliban as a terrorist group. This designation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics, as Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation with superior military capabilities, faces a hardened Afghan Taliban adept at guerrilla warfare. Recent clashes have included Pakistani airstrikes on the border and Afghanistan's Taliban launching airstrikes into Pakistani territory, alongside Pakistan intercepting drones.

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The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists.