Cross-Border Attacks
The Afghan Defense Ministry has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, cautioning that any cross-border attacks would result in “consequences” for which Islamabad would be held responsible.
This response comes after Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent statements suggesting that Pakistan may conduct cross-border attacks into Afghanistan to protect its sovereignty.
The Afghan Defense Ministry took to social media to emphasize that Afghanistan’s primary principle is not to allow any country to use its land against another country.
The ministry stressed that any violation of Afghanistan’s border would result in consequences, implying that Afghanistan would not hesitate to defend itself if necessary.
Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Afghan Taliban’s political office in Doha, also responded to Pakistan’s statement, reiterating that the Afghan government would not permit anyone to harm Afghanistan or use its soil against another country.
Shaheen emphasized that Afghanistan’s policy is to avoid harming others and not allow harm to come to itself. However, he also adopted a somewhat threatening tone, warning potential aggressors to study the history of past aggressors and consider the potential consequences of their actions.
The exchange between the two countries comes after Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that “nothing is more important than Pakistan’s sovereignty” when asked about the possibility of cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.
The Afghan Defense Ministry’s response suggests that Afghanistan is prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will not hesitate to take action if necessary.
The tension between the two countries highlights the complex and sensitive nature of their relationship.
The Afghan Taliban’s political office in Doha has been engaged in negotiations with the United States and other countries to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan, while Pakistan has historically played a significant role in supporting the Taliban.
The recent exchange suggests that both countries are drawing red lines and preparing for potential confrontations, underscoring the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve their differences peacefully.
