Taliban–Pakistan Tensions Discussed in Phone Call Between Afghan and Omani Foreign Ministers

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, held a phone conversation with Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi to discuss the recent tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the call, Amir Khan Muttaqi stressed that the Taliban’s position is based on reciprocal defense in response to attacks from Pakistan. The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations and broader regional developments. They described recent developments in the Middle East—including attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran and the expansion of conflict to other countries in the region—as concerning and worthy of condemnation. The Foreign Ministry of Oman has not yet commented on the reported phone call. Clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces have continued for more than 15 days. The United Nations said that between February 26 and March 5, at least 56 civilians were killed in the violence. Both the Taliban and Pakistan claim to have inflicted heavy losses on each other. Taliban authorities say 327 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, while Pakistan claims that more than 580 Taliban members have died in the fighting.