The spokesperson for the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, has stated that the military equipment left behind by the United States in Afghanistan will not be returned under any circumstances. His remarks came in response to recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who criticized the Biden administration for the billions of dollars worth of military assets left behind during the withdrawal.
Balkhi reiterated that the US-made weapons now belong to the Taliban, which considers them war spoils. He also emphasized that, rather than focusing on reclaiming the equipment, the US could explore economic opportunities in Afghanistan, particularly in its mineral sector. According to Balkhi, Afghanistan’s vast, untapped mineral wealth is open to American investment, signaling a shift in the Taliban’s approach to foreign relations.
Trump, speaking on March 28, expressed frustration over the Taliban’s military parades showcasing US weapons. He suggested that Washington might demand the return of the equipment but also acknowledged that much of it may now be outdated.
The presence of US-made weapons in Taliban hands has raised security concerns, with analysts warning of potential risks to regional stability. Fears persist over whether these arms could be accessed by militant groups such as Al-Qaeda or ISIS. However, Taliban officials have dismissed such concerns, insisting they do not need US cooperation to counter ISIS.
The US Department of Defense estimated the value of equipment left in Afghanistan exceeds $7bn, including vehicles, advanced weapons, biometric devices, and other technologies. Between 2002 and June 2020, the US allocated more than $88bn through the Afghan Security Forces Fund, overseen by the Department of Defense, to equip and assist Afghan security forces.
Earlier, Uzbekistan transferred 7 helicopters that moved to its territory following the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to the United States, drawing condemnation by the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)