Closely Monitoring & Maintaining American Weapons, Says Taliban

The Taliban dismissed concerns that the remaining American weapons in Afghanistan could fall into the hands of insurgents as baseless.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesman, said that weapons in Afghanistan are being strictly monitored and maintained.

The Taliban's deputy spokesman said in an audio recording on Thursday, January 30, that weapons and equipment in Afghanistan are being stored in government warehouses.

Before entering the White House, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw remaining military equipment from the Taliban in Afghanistan. Trump claims that more than $80 billion worth of US military equipment remains in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday responded to Donald Trump's remarks that the remaining US weapons in Afghanistan pose a serious threat to Pakistan's security. Pakistan said that the weapons were falling into the hands of Pakistani militants.

“The presence of advanced US weapons in Afghanistan, which remained after the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021, has been a matter of great concern for the security and safety of Pakistan and its citizens,” said Shafqat Ali Khan, a spokesman for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, "We have repeatedly asked Taliban officials to take necessary steps to ensure that these weapons do not fall into the hands of terrorists."

This is despite reports that the Taliban were selling and smuggling American weapons and equipment after the collapse of the government and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. However, the Taliban has denied these claims and said that they have control over the weapons.