Taliban Express Willingness to Reset Relations with US Amid Military Equipment Dispute

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The Taliban have expressed their readiness to establish a fresh relationship with the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership while firmly asserting ownership over the military equipment left behind by American and NATO forces.  

 

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Taliban’s foreign ministry spokesperson, spoke to CBS News on Wednesday, stating that Afghanistan’s ruling group was open to diplomatic engagement with the US. "We would like to close the chapter of warfare and open a new chapter," Mr. Balkhi said.  

 

When questioned about the possibility of returning the military hardware, he dismissed any such prospect, stating, "These are the assets of the state of Afghanistan. They will continue to be in the possession of the state of Afghanistan." The Pentagon has previously reported that military equipment worth over $7.2 billion was transferred to Afghan forces when NATO withdrew in August 2021.

 

 

This arsenal included aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, battle tanks, Humvees, tracked vehicles, bulletproof vests, camouflage uniforms, weapons, communications gear, and other materials. Over the years, much of this equipment has either deteriorated or been dismantled by Taliban forces.  

 

Balkhi also clarified that there was no formal agreement between the US and Afghanistan regarding these military assets. "People don't make deals on the assets of their states, they make agreements through dialogue and engagement to find spaces and areas of common interest," he said.  

 

Donald Trump, during a public rally in Washington on the eve of his presidential inauguration last month, vowed to strengthen the US military by reclaiming equipment left behind in Afghanistan during the chaotic withdrawal in 2021. While it was his administration that initially negotiated the US withdrawal deal with the Taliban, he has sharply criticized Joe Biden’s handling of the pullout, accusing his successor of effectively handing over military hardware to the Taliban.  

 

“If we’re going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them we’re not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment,” Trump stated, linking potential humanitarian aid to the return of these assets. “So, we will give them a couple of bucks; we want the military equipment back.”  

 

Taliban forces have occasionally showcased remnants of this military hardware at public events. One such display occurred at Bagram Airbase in August, when the group staged a grand parade to commemorate three years in power.

 

Based on a report by The Independent 2025-02-10