Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has reacted for the first time as border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalate. Speaking on the fears of an all-out war between the two nations, he expressed indirect support for Pakistan by praising its current leadership.

Key Highlights of Trump’s Statement:

Praise for Leadership: Trump described Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir as "good leaders."

Assurance of Mediation: "There is a good Prime Minister and a General there; I respect them. Currently, Pakistan is doing a fantastic job. If necessary, I will definitely intervene," Trump stated.

Background and Casualties:

The situation has turned critical following intense clashes between the two countries over the past few days:

Pakistani Air Strikes: Pakistan carried out aerial strikes on a total of 29 locations across Afghanistan, including Kandahar and Kabul.

Declaration of War: Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has officially declared an "open war" against Afghanistan.

Conflict Reports: According to Pakistan, 297 Afghan Taliban have been killed. In response, Taliban spokespersons claimed that Afghan forces have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers.

U.S. Stance and Global Reaction:

The U.S. State Department spoke in favor of Pakistan, stating that "Pakistan has the right to defend itself against terrorism." The U.S. further remarked that the Taliban government has consistently failed to prevent its soil from being used for terrorism.

Responses from Other Nations:

United Kingdom: Appealed to both nations to end the conflict.

China: Called for an immediate ceasefire.

Iran: Has offered to play the role of a mediator to resolve the crisis.

Since the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021 and the subsequent return of the Taliban to power, instability along the Afghan-Pak border has surged, now escalating to the brink of a full-scale war.