Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a surprising turn of events, the Taliban has expressed its willingness to reset diplomatic relations with the United States under the potential new administration of Donald Trump. However, the group has firmly asserted its claim over the billions of dollars worth of military equipment and vehicles left behind by US and NATO forces during their chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Taliban’s spokesperson for the foreign ministry, stated in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday that the group is ready to move past decades of conflict and open a new chapter of engagement with the US.
“We would like to close the chapter of warfare and open a new chapter,” Balkhi said, signaling a potential shift in the Taliban’s approach to international diplomacy. However, when pressed on the possibility of returning the abandoned military hardware to the US, Balkhi was unequivocal: “These are the assets of the state of Afghanistan. They will continue to be in the possession of the state of Afghanistan.”
The Pentagon estimates that the US left behind military equipment worth over $7.2 billion when NATO forces withdrew. This includes aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, military vehicles, battle tanks, Humvees, weapons, bulletproof vests, camouflage uniforms, and communications equipment. Much of this hardware has reportedly deteriorated over the past four years, with some being dismantled or repurposed by Taliban fighters.
Balkhi emphasized that there was no formal agreement between the US and Afghanistan regarding the ownership of these assets. “People don’t make deals on the assets of their states,” he said. “They make agreements through dialogue and engagement to find spaces and areas of common interest.”
The issue of the abandoned military equipment has become a flashpoint in US domestic politics, particularly for former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal. Speaking at a rally in Washington last month, Trump vowed to reclaim the equipment if re-elected, accusing the Biden administration of effectively arming the Taliban.
“If we’re going to pay billions of dollars a year [in humanitarian aid], tell them we’re not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment,” Trump said. “So, we will give them a couple of bucks; we want the military equipment back.”
The Taliban’s possession of the equipment has been a source of pride for the group, which has showcased the hardware at public events, including a grand parade at Bagram Airbase in August 2023 to mark the third anniversary of their takeover. Images from Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Khost, and Ghazni reveal Humvees, military trucks, and other heavy vehicles now under Taliban control, many of which were originally provided to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
Analysts warn that the Taliban’s refusal to return the equipment could complicate any future diplomatic efforts between the two nations. Meanwhile, the US faces the dilemma of balancing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan with its desire to reclaim its military assets.
As the Taliban consolidates its grip on power, the question of what happens to the billions of dollars worth of abandoned equipment remains unresolved. For now, the group appears determined to hold onto its newfound arsenal, even as it signals a willingness to engage with its former adversary on the global stage.
