Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Allowing US Drones to Use its Airspace

Armed members of Taliban stand guard near a Mosque that was damaged in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 18 August 2022. (EPA)
Armed members of Taliban stand guard near a Mosque that was damaged in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 18 August 2022. (EPA)
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Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Allowing US Drones to Use its Airspace

Armed members of Taliban stand guard near a Mosque that was damaged in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 18 August 2022. (EPA)
Armed members of Taliban stand guard near a Mosque that was damaged in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, 18 August 2022. (EPA)

The Taliban's acting defense minister on Sunday said Pakistan had allowed American drones to use its airspace to access Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan has recently denied following a US air strike in Kabul.

Acting Minister of Defense Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob told reporters at a news conference in Kabul that American drones have been entering Afghanistan via Pakistan.

"According to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan, they use Pakistan's airspace, we ask Pakistan, don't use your airspace against us," he said.

Pakistan's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pakistani authorities have denied involvement in or advanced knowledge of a drone strike the United States said it carried out in Kabul in July that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Yaqoob's comments could exacerbate tension between the neighboring nations at a time when the Afghan Taliban is mediating talks between Pakistan and a Pakistani Taliban militant group. Afghanistan also relies heavily on trade with Pakistan as the country experiences an economic crisis.

The Taliban said it is investigating the July air strike and that it has not found the Al-Qaeda leader's body.



Anti-Trump Rallies Draw Thousands Across the US

Opponents of President Donald Trump protest near the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Opponents of President Donald Trump protest near the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Anti-Trump Rallies Draw Thousands Across the US

Opponents of President Donald Trump protest near the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Opponents of President Donald Trump protest near the Washington Monument, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Thousands of people descended Saturday on Washington's National Mall and other cities across the United States in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.

At a time of spreading global resentment against the Republican president, rallies took place earlier in international capitals including Paris, Rome and London.

A loose US coalition of dozens of left-leaning groups like MoveOn and Women's March organized "Hands Off" events in more than 1,000 towns and cities and in every congressional district, the groups say.

The unifying theme: the growing resentment of what the group Indivisible has called "the most brazen power grab in modern history," led by Trump, his advisor Elon Musk "and their billionaire cronies."

Trump has angered many Americans by moving aggressively to downsize the government, impose his conservative values and sharply pressure even friendly countries over trade terms -- causing stock markets to tank.

"Trump, Musk, and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy, and our basic rights -- enabled by Congress every step of the way," Indivisible said on its website.

Many Democrats are irate that their party, in the minority in both the House of Representatives and Senate, has seemed so helpless to resist Trump's aggressive moves.