Washington endorsed Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” after it bombed major cities across Afghanistan amid heightened tensions between the two hostile neighbours.

The Taliban government in Kabul stressed it was ready to negotiate on Friday as violence intensified between the two countries.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahi said: “The Islamic emirate of Afghanistan has always tried to resolve issues through dialogue, and now also we want to resolve this matter through dialogue,” he said.

The Pakistani strikes hit parts of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia on Thursday night, and Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman on Friday, he said.

Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif earlier said his country was in “open war” with Afghanistan, and that patience had run out in Islamabad.

The latest wave of attacks came after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops on Thursday night, which Afghanistan said was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas last weekend.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering militant groups that stage attacks across the border – a claim denied by Kabul – and of allying with India, its historic enemy and regional rival.

The UK and the EU called for swift de-escalation, and urged both sides to reenter negotiations. While a Qatari-mediated ceasefire ended fighting in 2025, talks in Istanbul in November did not yield a formal peace agreement.

Allison Hooker, US under secretary of state for political affairs, spoke on Friday with Amna Baloch, the Pakistani foreign secretary, and expressed condolences “for lives lost” in the recent violence with Afghanistan.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” Hooker wrote on X.

Pakistan is a key ally of Washington, which considers the Afghan Taliban – which returned to power in Kabul in 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces – to be a “terrorist” group.

The European Union called for “immediate de-escalation and a halt of hostilities” and warned of potentially “serious implications” for the region.

“The EU reiterates that Afghan territory must not be used to threaten or attack other countries and calls on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan,” said Kaja Kallas, the bloc’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

“We urge both sides to engage in dialogue,” added Kallas. “International law, including humanitarian law, must be fully respected by all actors. The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure must be ensured, and all feasible precautions must be taken to prevent further civilian harm.”

Yvette Cooper, UK foreign secretary, wrote on X: “The UK is deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de‑escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re‑engage in mediated dialogue.”

with Reuters