A recent report from the BBC, one of Britain’s public broadcasters, reveals that since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have either sold or smuggled around 500,000 American-made weapons to various terrorist groups.
These weapons, which were left behind by US forces, have reportedly gone missing and are now believed to be in the hands of groups linked to al-Qaeda, according to the report.
The BBC cites a United Nations report indicating that the Taliban have acknowledged their inability to account for nearly half of the military equipment supplied by the US.
Additionally, the UN claims that Taliban leaders permitted local commanders to keep as much as 20% of the US weaponry, which has fueled a thriving black market for arms.
A local journalist in Kandahar confirmed that for at least a year following the Taliban’s return to power, American weapons were openly sold in markets before those transactions moved underground.
lThe Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, has denied these accusations, asserting that all weapons are secure and labeling the claims of arms smuggling or sales as unfounded propaganda.
The report also mentioned the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), which estimated that a significant amount of weapons, ammunition, and equipment—around 250,000 firearms and 18,000 night-vision devices, were left behind, creating an arsenal comparable to that of the US Marine Corps.
Here’s the text to analyze: Former US President Donald Trump has mentioned that a staggering $85 billion worth of arms and equipment were abandoned in Afghanistan.
The potential for these arms to end up in the hands of hostile groups could further destabilize an already tense region and make global counterterrorism efforts even more challenging.
While the Taliban continues to reject these claims, international observers are urging for tighter monitoring of arms movements in post-conflict Afghanistan to prevent any misuse and proliferation.
Pakistan’s security agencies have pointed out that US-made weapons, smuggled from Afghanistan, have been linked to recent terrorist attacks in the country.
Officials have reported multiple recoveries of sophisticated American arms during various operations and attacks, including M32 grenade launchers, M-16/A4 rifles, M-4 carbines, night vision equipment, and hand grenades.
These weapons have been discovered in incidents such as the BLA attack on a naval base in Turbat, an attempted assault on the Gwadar Port Authority, and raids in North Waziristan, Zhob, Bajaur, and Mir Ali.
Security sources are connecting these weapons to stockpiles left behind in Afghanistan, raising alarms about the growing capabilities of militants within Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has labeled the spread of these weapons as a significant threat to national security.
Earlier this week, a Washington Post investigation revealed that terrorists operating in Pakistan, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are increasingly utilizing advanced US-made weapons that were left behind after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pakistani officials have confirmed that M16 rifles, originally from the US, were used in the bombing of the Jaffar Express on March 11. The serial numbers on two of the recovered rifles were traced back to US military stockpiles.
For the latest updates and insights on new developments, visit the NEWSON
Q1: What has a recent British media investigation revealed?
A respected UK-based news outlet reports that since the change of power in Afghanistan in 2021, around 500,000 American-made weapons have been sold or smuggled to various extremist organizations.
Q2: Where did these weapons originate?
These arms were abandoned by US forces during their withdrawal and were later seized by the new rulers of Afghanistan.
Q3: Which groups are receiving these weapons?
Extremist networks tied to al-Qaeda and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are said to be among the groups now in possession of these weapons.
Q4: What kinds of weapons are involved?
The stockpile includes M4 carbines, M16 rifles, M32 grenade launchers, hand grenades, and night vision equipment—all originally supplied by the US military.
Q5: What does the United Nations say about this?
A UN report indicates that the Afghan militant leadership has admitted they cannot track nearly half of the military gear left behind. In some cases, local commanders were reportedly allowed to retain up to 20% of these weapons.
Q6: How has the current regime responded?
A deputy spokesperson for Afghanistan’s new government has denied these claims, insisting that all equipment is secure and calling the reports propaganda without evidence.
