The Taliban have responded to U.S. demands for the return of weapons left behind in Afghanistan with a bold counterclaim: compensation for two decades of war.
In a statement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Washington has requested the return of military equipment abandoned during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021. However, Mujahid insisted that before any discussion of returning weapons, the U.S. must first pay for the “destruction and suffering” caused by 20 years of conflict.
“If they want their weapons back, they should also compensate Afghanistan for the losses incurred during the occupation,” Mujahid said.
The U.S. left behind billions of dollars worth of military hardware, including aircraft, vehicles, and weapons, much of which fell into Taliban hands after their rapid takeover of Kabul. While the U.S. has not publicly confirmed making such a request, reports suggest concerns over American arms being used by militant groups.
The Taliban’s demand for war reparations adds a new twist to the ongoing tensions between the former foes, raising questions about whether any negotiations will take place—or if this is just another political standoff with no resolution in sight.
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