ISLAMABAD: The United States spent $14.4 billion over 20 years on rebuilding Afghanistan during the war, but billions in military equipment were left behind after the US and NATO withdrawal in 2021, a new report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed.
The report said more than $7 billion worth of weapons remain in Afghanistan and are now a key part of the Taliban’s defense infrastructure. Over 20 years, the US spent $31.2 billion on Afghan forces’ infrastructure, weaponry, and transport.
The Afghan National Security Forces received 96,000 ground combat vehicles, 51,000 light tactical vehicles, 23,825 high-mobility multipurpose vehicles, 900 armored vehicles, 427,000 firearms, over 17,000 night-vision helmets, and 162 aircraft. Before the Taliban takeover, 131 of 162 US-made warplanes were operational.
SIGAR noted that US taxpayers funded these weapons. The Taliban now control roughly 70% of the US-supplied military equipment.
Pakistan has raised concerns that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may have accessed these weapons. Pakistani authorities claim the Afghan Taliban supply advanced US-made arms to TTP, which they use in attacks inside Pakistan.
A February UN report confirmed that the Afghan Taliban continue to fully support TTP despite Pakistan’s pressure. The report said Taliban control in Afghanistan has not reduced TTP’s operational capabilities, and attacks in Pakistan have increased since 2021.
The Taliban maintain training centers in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, and Paktika and coordinate operations with TTP. The Taliban government denies these allegations, stating Afghan territory is not used against other countries.
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Videos of clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces show that the Taliban primarily use light and medium arms. Military analysts confirm limited use of heavy weapons.
