UPDATE: U.S. President Donald Trump has just announced his commitment to resolve the escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis “very quickly” as peace talks between the two nations enter their second day. The urgency of the situation is underscored by recent deadly clashes, marking the most significant violence in years.
The conflict has intensified, with both countries accusing each other of aggression. With armed groups like al-Qaida trying to resurface, the region is on high alert. Just days ago, fighting resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries in Afghanistan, raising alarms over the deteriorating security situation.
During his remarks at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Trump expressed confidence in the ongoing discussions in Istanbul, stating, “I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up. But I’ll get that solved very quickly.” His comments come as peace talks focus on transforming a fragile ceasefire, established earlier this month in Doha, into a sustainable framework for peace and border security.
Reports indicate that the Taliban-controlled media, RTA, announced after 15 hours of negotiations, the Afghan side has submitted a draft agreement. This document emphasizes that Pakistan must respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty by not violating its territory and airspace. Furthermore, it calls for no anti-Afghan groups to use Pakistani territory against Afghanistan.
The peace talks follow a period of intense violence, with both nations exchanging blame. Pakistan claims it has targeted militant hideouts, while denying civilian casualties. The situation remains tense, and the outcome of these talks could significantly impact regional stability.
The Pakistani government has yet to comment on the ongoing negotiations, but Trump’s involvement is likely to bolster the country’s political and military leadership, which seeks warmer relations with the U.S. Notably, Pakistan previously commended Trump for his role in defusing a separate crisis with India earlier this year.
As the international community watches closely, the next steps in these peace negotiations hold critical implications for both nations and the region as a whole. With the potential for a four-way channel to monitor the ceasefire agreement, the hope for lasting peace hangs in the balance.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
