World reacts to Pakistan, Afghanistan border escalation

The world is reacting to Pakistan, Afghan border escalation after Islamabad responded strongly to the unprovoked attack by the Afghan Taliban.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has said that 274 members of the Taliban regime and affiliated militants were killed and more than 400 injured during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

Here's how the world is reacting.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring the situation, expressing deep concern over the surge in violence.

In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres urged both nations to adhere strictly to their obligations under international law, with a specific emphasis on international humanitarian law.

Iran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has been involved in intensive talks with the United States to avert conflict engulfing his own nation, has urged the two countries to resolve their differences through dialogue and good neighbourly principles, as he highlighted the significance of the holy month of Ramadan as a time for self-restraint and Islamic solidarity.

In a post on X early Friday, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to support the process, stating his country is prepared to provide any necessary assistance to facilitate constructive dialogue.

Russia

Russia has urged the warring parties to halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve their differences through diplomatic means, the ⁠ RIA news ⁠agency reported on ⁠Friday, ⁠citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Russia has also offered to mediate if both sides agree.

Turkiye

A Turkish diplomatic source told the Reuters news agency that Hakan Fidan, Turkiye’s top diplomat, held discussions on the ongoing conflict in separate calls with foreign ministers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, ⁠Qatar, and ⁠Saudi Arabia.

Qatar

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, the Qatari minister of state at the foreign ministry, held a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

A statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said that the sides discussed the ways to deescalate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.

China

Beijing is deeply concerned over the escalation along the ⁠ Pakistan-Afghanistan border, China’s Ministry⁠ of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. China has been mediating the conflict through ⁠its own channels, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning ⁠said during a regular ⁠news conference.

⁠China is willing to play a constructive role ‌in cooling the situation, she added.

United Kingdom

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on X that, “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.”