US weapons left in Afghanistan being sold to militants: report

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According to a BBC report, after regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban seized a million weapons weapons, half of which are now lost, sales, or smuggled militant groups, according to a BBC report.

The report poses a alarming disclosure through anonymous sources, which the United Nations endorsed, which shows that some al -Qaeda -related people have arrived at the United States with financial -supported weapons.

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they obtained one million weapons and military equipment, which were widely provided by the United States, as a former Afghan official revealed.

The weapons arms included modern US firearms, such as M4 and M16 rifles, as well as old weapons from decades of conflict.

Sources refrained from a meeting of the UN Security Council sanctions committee in Doha last year, which has revealed that the Taliban itself has admitted that at least half a million of the goods-a surprising 500,000 items are “countless”.

The data was confirmed by a source of the committee, which was confirmed by other sources.

In addition, a UN report released in February states that al -Qaeda -linked people, including the Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and the Yemeni Ansarullah Movement, are either directly accessible or flourishing weapons.

When the BBC faced these results, the Taliban government’s deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Futra, strongly denied the claims.

He stressed, “All light and heavy weapons are safely safe. We strongly reject the claims of smuggling or damage.”

However, a UN report in 2023 contradicts it, which says the Taliban allowed local commanders, who often work with significant independence, to maintain 20 percent of US weapons promoting the black market.

The UN added that “the gift of weapons is widely used to stabilize electricity between local commanders and fighters,” black market is sold as a “rich source of weapons for the Taliban”.

Adding these concerns, a former Kandahar -based journalist revealed that after the Taliban’s occupation, open weapons markets have been flourishing in the city for a year, which recently operates underground and through the WhatsApp.

This instant messaging platform in MetaA is facilitating the trade of new and used US weapons and equipment, mainly those who have been abandoned by US -backed forces, in wealthy individuals and local commanders.

Although very few weapons supply has been recorded in US body data overseeing Afghan reconstruction projects (SESES), a 2022 SEA report has acknowledged the accurate information due to several US departments and organizations involved in the supply of goods over the years.

The SEIS report has cited “DOD (Department of Defense) and issues for more than a decade” to track goods in Afghanistan. “

The department has denied the claim that Sig also criticized the Foreign Department for providing “limited, incorrect and non -timely information” about the left behind.

The matter has been politically accused, US President Donald Trump has vowed to re -claim weapons, which is estimated to be $ 85 billion, though the number is controversial.

“Afghanistan is one of the largest sellers of the world’s military equipment, Trump said during his first cabinet meeting of the new administration, you know why they are selling the goods we have left.”

“I want to consider it. If we need to pay them, that’s fine, but we want to return our military equipment.”

The Taliban responded to Trump’s claims with his spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, saying that he would use weapons, which the Taliban often paraded as a sign of victory over the United States to defend the country.

“We seized these weapons from the previous administration and will use them to defend the country and fight any threats,” he told Afghan media.

Despite claims of disabling the accent after the evacuation, the Taliban have formed a capable army using these weapons.

Sources indicate that hundreds of unused modern vehicles and helicopters are located in Taliban warehouses, though their operational capacity for sophisticated machinery is limited. Easy equipment like Humavis is being used effectively.

Former chief Sig, John Sopko, understands any attempt to re -claim weapons on “meaningless”, and argue that the price will be much higher than that.

Even if Trump will take any action, it remains to be seen, but in the meantime, concerns about the spread of weapons in the region and access to militant groups are not resolved.