The collapse of the U.S.- supported Afghanistan government saw military equipment worth more than $7 billion left behind to Taliban fighters. A recent pentagon assessment by the Defense Department earlier this year reads in part that “The DoD estimated that $7.12 billion worth of U.S.-funded aircraft, vehicles, weapons, munitions, and other equipment were still in Afghan government inventories at the time of the Taliban takeover,”.
This month’s report from The Department of Defense Inspector General sheds light on the financial impact of Biden withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan. Out of the $18.6 billion worth of armament provided to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to fight Taliban and terror groups like Khorosan and al-Qaida, the old Afghan government had $7.12 billion merchandise in taxpayer’s money.
American weapons taken over by the Taliban include 7,000 machine guns, 1,300 rocket launchers, 2,000 Humvees, satellite phones, and 20,000 grenades. It is worth remembering that America provided Afghani forces with 600,000 M4 rifles during the 20-year fight with the Taliban.
When the Taliban took over in 2021, everyone was surprised by their weapon stash. On August 15, 2021, Taliban troops invaded Kabul. The U.S. embassy was immediately evacuated. In the chaotic Kabul Airport evacuation, 13 U.S. troops died in a suicide bombing attack.
According to Redstate’s Jennifer Van Laar report, U.S Major General Donahue forcibly pushed an estimated 50-100 refugees off an aircraft that was leaving Kabul to create space for a Toyota Hilux. The pick-up truck was a war trophy to symbolize how well the Division executed its mission in a chaotic environment.
Van Laar further admitted that the forces did not deactivate the two C-RAM systems left at Kabul Airport despite reports claiming they were. Sources indicate that even though soldiers were instructed to remotely destroy the C-RAMs, the detonators jammed and are still fully operational.
Operable C-RAMS under the Taliban pose a security concern. They can use software or hardware to create serious warfare weapons. The failure to demolish deserted military equipment raises questions on the sale and transfer of armament for different operations worldwide.
Peter Van Buren, a former Conditions Department staffer, explains this situation as “a surreal state of affairs in which American weaponry is being sent into Iraq to destroy American weaponry previously sent into Iraq.” According to The Department of Defense Inspector General, the U.S. doesn’t intend to “rescue or destroy” any of the $7.12 Billion equipment.
Biden’s administration handled the Afghan pullout in an unpopular way. Republicans are looking forward to impeaching Biden for the chaotic evacuation. Voters should be at the forefront of demanding America first in November’s upcoming elections.
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