A shocking report has revealed that more than half a million U.S. weapons acquired by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been “lost, sold or smuggled” to various militant groups. According to the BBC, the United Nations feels some of these weapons have ended up with al-Qaeda affiliates.

A former Afghan official, speaking anonymously to the BBC, said that when the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021, they seized around one million weapons and pieces of military gear. Many Afghan troops either surrendered or fled, leaving behind weapons and vehicles. The official also mentioned that U.S. forces abandoned some of the equipment. A report said the seized equipment included US-made firearms like M4 and M16 rifles, as well as older weapons from years of conflict in Afghanistan. Sources told the BBC that the Taliban admitted to the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee that at least half of this equipment is now missing, during a private meeting in Doha last year. The UN expressed concerns in a February report that al-Qaeda affiliates might have obtained these weapons. They noted that groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and Yemen's Ansarullah were possibly accessing or buying these weapons, originally captured by the Taliban, on the black market.

When the BBC questioned Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban government's deputy spokesperson, about the recent findings, he responded by saying the group takes the “protection and storage of weapons very seriously.” He added, “All light and heavy weapons are securely stored. We strongly reject claims of smuggling or loss.” However, a 2023 United Nations report stated that the Taliban permits local commanders to keep 20 per cent of the US weapons they capture. These commanders, though part of the Taliban, often operate with some level of independence in their areas. The UN also pointed out that “gifting of weapons is widely practised between local commanders and fighters to consolidate power. The black market remains a rich source of weaponry for the Taliban.”

Donald Trump has previously stated that he would retrieve weapons from Afghanistan, often mentioning that $85 billion worth of advanced weaponry was left behind when the Taliban took control. During his first cabinet meeting in the new administration, Trump said, “Afghanistan is one of the biggest sellers of military equipment in the world, you know why? They’re selling the equipment that we left.” He added, “I want to look into this. If we need to pay them, that’s fine, but we want our military equipment back.”

Responding to Trump’s comments, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, told Afghan state TV: “We seized these weapons from the previous administration and will use them to defend the country and counter any threats.”

The Taliban has frequently showcased American weapons, including at Bagram Airfield, the former main US-NATO base, since taking over. It will be interesting to see how Trump responds to this latest development.