Media: Taliban seizes US weapons in Afghanistan, some end up with Al-Qaeda

After the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban seized a significant amount of weaponry left behind or abandoned by Afghan forces.

According to estimates by BBC sources, the Taliban acquired approximately one million units of arms, including M4 and M16 assault rifles, as well as armored vehicles and helicopters.

The United Nations reports that some of these weapons have been transferred to terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, through the black market.

While the Taliban claims to control and safeguard the weapons, UN sources indicate that half of them have gone missing, with the remaining stock being actively used to strengthen their positions and fight other groups.

Additionally, weapons are being sold on the black market to extend the Taliban's influence. In response to these accusations, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson stated that they are "strictly monitoring the safekeeping of the weapons."

By Khagan Isayev