Taliban Refuses Trump’s Request to Return $7 Billion Worth of US Weapons
Summary
The Taliban has rejected former President Trump’s demand to return $7 billion worth of US military equipment left behind during the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan. In response, the Taliban stated it requires the equipment to fight ISIS-K. Despite this, the Taliban is seeking improved relations with the US and access to frozen foreign reserves to address Afghanistan’s economic crisis. They recently exchanged American detainees for an Afghan prisoner held in the US. While countries like China and Russia have welcomed Taliban representatives, no nation officially recognizes the Taliban government.
The Taliban has firmly rejected former President Donald Trump’s demand to return the military equipment left behind by US forces when they withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. According to a Bloomberg report, a Taliban official stated that they need more arms, ammunition, and advanced weapons to combat ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan) rather than returning the military assets.
This response followed Trump’s remarks at a rally, where he threatened to cut off US financial aid unless the Taliban returned US military equipment, including aircraft, vehicles, air-to-ground munitions, and communications gear. Trump emphasized that the US should withhold billions of dollars in aid until the equipment was returned.
The Taliban spokesperson did not comment on Trump’s statement. After 20 years of US military presence, US forces left Afghanistan, leaving behind weapons worth $7 billion, which were subsequently seized by the Taliban as they took control of the country.
Despite rejecting Trump’s demand, the Taliban is seeking a fresh start with the US and hopes to gain access to nearly $9 billion in frozen foreign exchange reserves. They aim to establish peaceful relations with the US to gain international recognition for their government and secure much-needed economic support, as the country faces severe financial distress.
Additionally, the Taliban recently announced that it had exchanged American citizens for an Afghan who had been imprisoned in the US.
While countries like China, Pakistan, and Russia have welcomed Taliban representatives, no nation officially recognizes the Taliban government due to its human rights abuses. China was the first to offer diplomatic credentials to the Taliban last year.
Disclaimer
The information is based on recent reports and statements. For the latest updates, please verify through official sources.
source : Hindustan Times