The Taliban’s spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, announced that US military equipment left in Afghanistan will not be returned. He highlighted the potential for US investment in Afghanistan’s mineral resources instead. Concerns about the future use of these weapons by extremist groups remain, while the US Defense Department estimates the value of equipment abandoned surpasses $7 billion.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has firmly declared that the military equipment left by the United States in Afghanistan will not be returned under any circumstances. His statements were made following US President Donald Trump’s critiques of the Biden administration regarding the billions of dollars in military assets abandoned during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Balkhi emphasized that the US-made weapons are now regarded as war spoils by the Taliban. He suggested that instead of attempting to reclaim the equipment, the United States could invest in Afghanistan’s economy, particularly its significant mineral sector. This remark highlights a potential shift in Taliban foreign relations, indicating openness to American investment in Afghanistan’s untapped resources.

Former President Trump voiced his frustration over the Taliban’s public displays of US-supplied weaponry, noting the potential for the US to demand their return. However, he acknowledged that much of this military equipment might now be obsolete, reducing the likelihood of a successful reclamation.

Concerns about the Taliban wielding US-made weapons have been raised, with analysts warning of threats to regional stability. There are worries that such arms could potentially reach extremist groups like Al-Qaeda or ISIS, though Taliban officials have expressed confidence in their ability to confront ISIS independently, asserting that they do not require US assistance.

The US Department of Defense estimates that the value of the abandoned military equipment exceeds $7 billion, including vehicles, advanced weaponry, and biometric technology. From 2002 to June 2020, the US invested over $88 billion to support the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces through the Afghan Security Forces Fund.

In a recent development, Uzbekistan transferred seven helicopters—originally moved to its territory following the fall of the Afghan government—back to the United States, an action that drew criticism from the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense.

The Taliban has firmly stated that it will not return US military equipment left in Afghanistan, viewing it as war spoils. Instead, the group invites economic engagement related to its mineral wealth, marking a potential shift in their foreign relations strategy. Concerns persist regarding the stability implications of these weapons in Taliban hands and the potential for them to empower extremist factions. The significant financial implications of the US military investment in Afghanistan raise questions about the effectiveness of the withdrawal strategy.

Original Source: daryo.uz

Related posts:

Afghan Nationals Depart for the U.S. After Visa Processing in the Philippines Capture of Kabul Airport Bombing Suspect Marks Progress Toward Justice Afghan Pilots Face Dire Consequences After US Withdrawal from Afghanistan Afghan Taliban Declines to Return US Arms, Invites Investment in Minerals