"In the latest escalation between Pakistan and the Afghan regime in late November, the Taliban accused Pakistan of attacking Afghan territory and killing at least 10 civilians, including nine children. The militant group proceeded to launch their own strikes along the 2,640-kilometer (1,640-mile) border with Pakistan, known as the Durand Line. Pakistan's military denied the Taliban claims of attacking Afghanistan as "baseless." During previous bouts of violence, Pakistani officials insisted they were targeting terror groups hiding on Afghan soil."
"Even so, the Taliban's move drew out crowds of supporters in Afghan cities such as Khost and Jalalabad, where residents greeted Taliban fighters with garlands. On social media, videos of Taliban members receiving a hero's welcome went viral, portraying the group as defenders of Afghanistan's territorial integrity. These images come as the Taliban face mounting criticism from abroad for a slew of harsh domestic policies, including sweeping restrictions on women's education and employment."
"Many Afghan social media users praised the group's strong response to Pakistan, and even some former Afghan security officials once fierce opponents of the Taliban voiced sympathy for their former adversary. Khushal Sadat, a former deputy interior minister who fought against the Taliban for years, was one of those voices. He argued that the Taliban reacted far more decisively to Pakistan's attacks than the former Western-backed government ever did."
In late November, clashes erupted after the Taliban accused Pakistan of striking Afghan territory and killing at least 10 civilians, including nine children. The Taliban launched strikes along the 2,640-kilometer Durand Line while Pakistan's military denied the allegations and said past operations targeted terror groups on Afghan soil. Taliban fighters received public support in cities like Khost and Jalalabad, with viral social media videos showing garlands and hero's welcomes that framed the group as defenders of territorial integrity. Those images contrasted with international criticism over broad restrictions on women's education and employment. Domestic sentiment shifted, with some former security officials expressing sympathy and praise for the Taliban's response.
Read at www.dw.com
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