World reacts to eruption of fighting between Pakistan, Afghanistan

Pakistan has said it is now in “open war” with Afghanistan’s Taliban government as explosions were reported in Kabul and fighting continues in other locations along the border. Pakistan says it has also attacked Kandahar and Paktika inside Afghanistan.

The declaration on Friday comes hours after Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan was carrying out “large-scale offensive operations” against the Pakistani military along the Durand Line, which separates the two countries.

The Taliban said its attack was in response to a separate round of Pakistani air strikes earlier this week.

Here is how countries and institutions are reacting:

Pakistan

In addition to blaming the Taliban for “terrorism” and instability within the country, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif says Islamabad “made every effort, both directly and through friendly countries, to keep the situation stable”.

“It carried out extensive diplomacy. Today, when attempts are being made to target Pakistan with aggression, by the grace of God our armed forces are giving a decisive response,” he said on X.

“Our patience has reached its limit. Now it is open war. Now there will be decisive action.”

Afghanistan

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai says the country “will defend its beloved homeland with complete unity in all circumstances and will respond to aggression with courage” amid Pakistan’s attacks.

“Pakistan cannot free itself from the violence and bombings – those problems it has created itself – but must change its own policy and choose the path of good neighbourliness, respect, and civilised relations with Afghanistan,” he said on X.

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.

Guterres underscored the urgent need for both parties to prioritise the protection of civilians as confrontations continue.

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, deepen mutual understanding and promote cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad.

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.

India

The country’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “strongly” condemns Pakistan’s air strikes, noting that they took place during the holy month of Ramadan.

“It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures,” Jaiswal said in a statement on X.

Our response to media queries about Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan ⬇️

🔗 https://t.co/gUXTbNQjVg pic.twitter.com/A6W4wxXBpV

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 22, 2026

India has strengthened ties with the Taliban recently, and Islamabad accuses New Delhi of funding groups in Afghanistan and in Pakistan itself to undermine Pakistan’s security, which India denies.

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 States

Allison Hooker, US under secretary of state for political affairs, said Washington supported Pakistan.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and expressed support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks,” she wrote on X after talks with a Pakistani counterpart.

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.”

International Committee of the Red Cross

Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the ICRC, called for “restraint and de-escalation”, saying the upsurge in violence was harming people in a region that had “already endured decades of conflict, displacement and loss”.

“Humanitarian assistance must reach all those affected (and) hospitals must be able to operate and access to essential services must be guaranteed,” she said in a statement.

“These are not privileges,” she insisted. “They are obligations under international humanitarian law.”