In response to the airstrikes, the United Nations has emerged as a key player in attempting to de-escalate the situation. On February 23, 2026, UN deputy secretary-general Rosemary DiCarlo held a phone conversation with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during which she expressed deep sympathy for the civilian losses.
This latest flare-up is symptomatic of deeper issues: mutual distrust, unresolved border disputes, and the enduring legacy of the US-led war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, while Kabul counters that Islamabad’s policies have fuelled instability.