The Taliban has rejected demands from the United States to return military equipment left behind during the 2021 withdrawal, further complicating relations between Kabul and the new Trump administration, Bloomberg reports.
An individual familiar with the matter stated that the Taliban not only refuses to return the equipment, but also believes the US should provide them with more advanced weaponry to combat the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K).
This response follows President Trump’s recent remarks at a rally where he threatened to withhold financial assistance to Afghanistan unless the military equipment, reportedly valued at over $7 billion, is returned.
“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 said.
While Taliban spokesmen have not officially responded to the comments, a source close to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that the group believes additional arms are necessary to combat ISIS-K effectively.
Taliban Seeks Fresh Start and Access to Frozen Assets
Despite rejecting President Trump’s demands, the Taliban government reportedly desires a fresh start with the new U.S. administration and hopes to gain access to over $9 billion in frozen foreign exchange reserves. Establishing normalized relations with the United States would be crucial for the Taliban’s efforts to achieve international recognition for its government, which remains largely isolated by the international community. The released funds would provide much-needed relief for the cash-strapped Taliban, which is struggling to rebuild an economy devastated by sanctions and the loss of international aid.
The Taliban’s desire for a relationship with the US is further underscored by a recent prisoner exchange where the Taliban released American citizens in exchange for an Afghan held in a US prison.
International Recognition Remains Elusive
While a handful of countries, including China, Pakistan, and Russia, have accepted Taliban diplomats, formal recognition of the government remains elusive. The Taliban has faced widespread international condemnation for repeated human rights violations, further complicating their efforts to gain international legitimacy. China was the first nation to grant diplomatic credentials to the Taliban last year.
The standoff over the military equipment and the Taliban’s plea for international recognition highlight the complex challenges facing the new US administration as it navigates its relationship with Afghanistan.
