Taliban Calls Abandoned US Equipment Its “Spoils of War”

In a stunning declaration, the Taliban announced possession of U.S. military weapons left behind after the Afghanistan withdrawal as “spoils of war.”

Key Takeaways

The Taliban reportedly claims U.S. military equipment as “spoils of war” to defend against retrieval efforts.
President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to recover these weapons, criticizing Former President Joe Biden’s withdrawal strategy.
Approximately $7 billion worth of U.S. military hardware was left behind in Afghanistan.
Experts highlight logistical challenges in retrieving the abandoned equipment.
Future U.S. aid to Afghanistan could be contingent on the return of military assets.

Weapons as Spoils of War

The Taliban, following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, reportedly declared that arms left on Afghan soil are “spoils of war.” Per a Voice of America report, the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, emphasized these weapons are now owned by the Afghan people used in defense of their independence and sovereignty. This situation arose when the U.S. exited hastily, leaving $7 billion worth of military equipment.

“The Afghan people now own these weapons and are utilizing them to defend their independence, sovereignty, and Islamic system. No external force can compel us to surrender these weapons, nor will we accept any demands for their surrender,” stated Zabihullah Mujahid. The U.S. Department of Defense had confirmed the extent of the equipment left behind, raising international concerns.

Trump’s Intention to Retrieve Weapons

Former President Donald Trump expressed intentions to reclaim the U.S. military equipment. He criticized current U.S. policies and suggested withholding financial aid to Afghanistan unless the weapons were returned. Challenges in implementing this involve significant logistical hurdles, a viewpoint that experts, like Randall, share, noting the complexity in logistics associated with retrieving such large scale military assets.

Trump’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with former Afghan officials dismissing them as unrealistic and politically motivated. Despite the strong rhetoric, the practical aspects of achieving this remain dubious. Experts point out it would require establishing secure access points which previously presented issues even at the height of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.

The U.S.-Afghanistan Dynamics

There are suggestions that U.S. future financial aid should be contingent upon the return of these military assets. However, the Taliban have reportedly refused this idea and instead suggest further armament against threats such as ISKP. Moreover, they claim not to have received U.S. financial support since gaining control.

Since the withdrawal, the U.S. has channeled approximately $3 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, concerns linger that punitive measures against the Taliban might adversely affect cooperation on counter-terrorism efforts, complicating an already delicate foreign policy arena for the U.S.