The Taliban, a notorious terrorist group, has brazenly declared that the military weapons left behind by the United States in Afghanistan are now their rightful “spoils of war.” They have vowed to use these arms to defend against any attempts to reclaim them. This shocking statement is the first official response from the Taliban-led government in Kabul to former President Donald Trump’s recent pledge to retrieve U.S. military equipment from Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, made these claims during an X space session on Monday. He asserted that the weapons abandoned by the U.S., along with those provided to the former Afghan government, are now in the hands of the Taliban forces. According to Mujahid, these arms are the rightful property of the Afghan people and will be used to protect their so-called independence, sovereignty, and Islamic system.
Mujahid’s statements are nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to justify their theft of U.S. military assets. He arrogantly declared that no external force can compel the Taliban to surrender these weapons. The terrorist group even threatened to use the arms to repel any invaders who dare to seize them.
The U.S.-led Western forces had been stationed in Afghanistan for nearly two decades to combat terrorist groups and support the internationally recognized government in Kabul. However, their chaotic withdrawal in August 2021 left behind a staggering $7 billion worth of military equipment. This included aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, military vehicles, weapons, and communications gear. The Taliban, seizing the opportunity, quickly took control of these assets.
Former President Trump recently criticized his successor, Joe Biden, for leaving behind such a massive cache of military hardware. At a rally in Washington last month, Trump accused Biden of effectively handing over U.S. military equipment to the enemy. He also warned that future financial assistance to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan would depend on the return of these arms.
Mujahid, however, dismissed Trump’s claims, stating that the Taliban has not received any financial aid from the U.S. since regaining power. He insisted that Kabul has neither expected nor sought assistance from Washington. This is a blatant lie, as the Taliban has repeatedly flaunted U.S. military gear during their so-called victory day celebrations.
The U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was a result of the Doha Agreement negotiated by the Trump administration in February 2020. Biden completed the withdrawal, defending his decision by stating that the alternative would have been to resume fighting the Taliban.
The Taliban’s actions are a clear example of terrorist behavior. By claiming U.S. military equipment as “spoils of war,” they are not only flaunting their ill-gotten gains but also threatening to use them against anyone who challenges their oppressive regime. This is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by this extremist group and the consequences of leaving Afghanistan in their hands.
The international community must not turn a blind eye to the Taliban’s blatant theft and misuse of U.S. military assets. These “spoils of war” are not just weapons; they are tools of terror that the Taliban will undoubtedly use to further their destructive agenda.
