Fidan engages Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia to de-escalate border crisis

2026-02-27 - 12:32

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted intensive telephone diplomacy Friday, reaching out to his counterparts in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to address the escalating armed conflict along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The diplomatic engagement follows Thursday's Afghan attacks on Pakistani border posts in retaliation for Sunday's Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan, which Islamabad claimed killed 70 militants while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian casualties. Regional Mediation Efforts Fidan spoke with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The discussions focused on de-escalating tensions and preventing further bloodshed along the volatile frontier, where relations have deteriorated amid Pakistan's accusations that militants operate from Afghan territory—claims Kabul denies. Türkiye's Continued Role in Conflict Resolution The phone calls represent Ankara's sustained commitment to stabilizing the region, building on previous mediation efforts. Last October, Türkiye and Qatar successfully brokered a ceasefire following Afghan attacks on Pakistani border posts, with subsequent meetings in Istanbul and Doha solidifying the agreement. The latest diplomatic push comes as at least 14 people, including four civilians, have died in the recent clashes, underscoring the urgency of renewed mediation efforts.