KABUL – The United States has once again strongly refuted allegations of abandoning arms in Afghanistan during the military withdrawal in August 2021, dismissing the claims as a “farce.” John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, addressed the issue, asserting that the weapons in question belonged to the Afghan national security forces and were left behind as they chose not to engage in conflict amid the Taliban’s advances.

Kirby emphasized that the United States did not simply abandon a pile of weapons but had, over 20 years with congressional approval, supported and equipped the Afghan forces. The denial comes in response to recent calls from Pakistan urging the United Nations to investigate how militants in Afghanistan are acquiring “sophisticated weapons” for terrorist attacks.

Pakistani authorities, particularly Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon, highlighted concerns during a recent Security Council debate on the misuse of small arms and light weapons. Jadoon called for an investigation into how groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) obtained advanced weaponry, linking it to cross-border attacks intensified since the U.S. troop withdrawal.

While not directly accusing the U.S., Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar previously stated that military equipment left behind during the American withdrawal had significantly enhanced the fighting capacity of groups like TTP. Despite not presenting evidence to Washington, Kakar emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address the challenge posed by leftover equipment.

The U.S. military invested over $80 billion in building and training Afghan security forces during its two-decade presence. A U.S. Defense Department report estimated that over $7.1 billion in U.S.-funded military equipment was in the inventory of the former Afghan government when it collapsed in the face of Taliban attacks during the troop exit.

Taliban authorities deny allegations that weapons fell into the hands of militants, asserting that equipment is stored securely in depots. However, critics argue that the close alliance between TTP and the de facto Afghan rulers raises questions about the security of these weapons.

Recent reports from the Small Arms Survey warned of continued access to U.S.-trained and -equipped Afghan security forces’ weapons by groups allied with the Taliban, including TTP. The report highlighted ongoing cross-border trafficking and the availability of Afghan-sourced arms in Pakistani markets, contributing to violence against the Pakistani state.

Pakistan has reported nearly 2,500 casualties, including security forces and civilians, in militant attacks over the last two years. The deadliest recent attack occurred last week, with 23 soldiers killed in an assault on a military base in a northwestern district, underscoring the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by leftover military equipment in the region.

Culled from Afghanistan Times