US President Donald Trump said today (Sunday) that he will resolve the Afghanistan crisis with Pakistan “very quickly,” as peace talks between the two countries entered their second day.
The two countries are witnessing a severe security conflict. The two countries say they were repelling aggression from the other side during clashes earlier this month.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants who cross the border to launch attacks on its territory, a charge denied by the Taliban rulers in the country.
The second round of talks between the two countries began in Istanbul yesterday, Saturday, focusing on transforming the fragile ceasefire that was reached earlier this month in Doha into a permanent framework for peace and border security.
According to what was reported by the Associated Press, Trump said on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia: “I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have begun discussions,” adding: “But I will resolve this matter very quickly.”
The clashes broke out earlier this month after Islamabad called on the Taliban to rein in militants who it says are attacking Pakistan from safe havens inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan carried out air strikes across the border, and the two sides exchanged intense fire, killing dozens and causing the closure of the main crossings that have not yet been opened.
Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring militants targeting Pakistani forces. The Taliban rejects this accusation and says that Pakistani military operations violate Afghan sovereignty.
