Alarming: Taliban admits half of its arsenal are missing, Report

Approximately half a million weapons obtained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been lost, sold, or smuggled to militant groups, according to a BBC report.

The United Nations (UN) is concerned that some of these arms may have fallen into the hands of al-Qaeda affiliates.

When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, they seized around one million weapons and pieces of military equipment, primarily funded by the US.

According to a former Afghan official who spoke anonymously to the BBC, many Afghan soldiers surrendered or fled during the Taliban’s advance, leaving behind their weapons and vehicles. Additionally, US forces abandoned some equipment.

The seized cache includes American-made firearms, such as M4 and M16 rifles, as well as older weapons from decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

At a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee in Doha late last year, the Taliban reportedly admitted that at least half of this military equipment is now “unaccounted” for.

A committee member confirmed that the whereabouts of approximately half a million items remain unknown.

A February UN report indicated that various militant groups, including al-Qaeda affiliates like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, are accessing Taliban-captured weapons or purchasing them on the black market.

In response to these revelations, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban government, assured the BBC that they take weapons protection and storage seriously, stating, “All light and heavy weapons are securely stored. We strongly reject claims of smuggling or loss.”

The unfolding situation raises significant concerns regarding regional security and the potential for increased violence as these weapons circulate.

A 2023 UN report indicates that the Taliban has permitted local commanders to retain 20% of seized U.S. weapons, leading to a thriving black market. These commanders, while affiliated with the Taliban, often operate with a degree of autonomy in their regions.

The UN noted that “gifting of weapons” among local commanders and fighters is common to consolidate power, and the black market remains a significant source of arms for the Taliban. A former journalist from Kandahar reported that an open arms market existed for a year after the Taliban takeover but has since gone underground, using WhatsApp for transactions between wealthy individuals and local commanders involving new and used U.S. weapons left behind by U.S.-backed forces.

The U.S. agency overseeing Afghan reconstruction, known as SIGAR, has reported fewer weapons than other sources, but acknowledged in a 2022 report that it could not obtain accurate information. This was attributed to the fact that equipment had been funded and supplied by various U.S. departments over the years. SIGAR criticized the Department of Defense for longstanding issues with tracking equipment in Afghanistan and the State Department for providing limited and inaccurate information, a claim the State Department denies.

This issue has political implications, with former U.S. President Donald Trump claiming he would seek to reclaim weapons left in Afghanistan, stating that $85 billion worth of advanced military equipment was abandoned. He remarked that Afghanistan has become a significant seller of military equipment due to the items left behind. However, Trump’s figures have been disputed, as they also include funds for training and salaries, and Afghanistan was not listed among the top exporters of arms last year.

In response, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the weapons were seized from the previous administration and would be used to defend the country. The Taliban frequently showcases U.S. weaponry, including at Bagram Airfield, as symbols of victory.

Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, the Pentagon claimed that equipment left behind was disabled, but the Taliban has since built a capable military using these weapons, gaining an advantage over rival groups like the National Resistance Front and ISIS-Khorasan Province. A source from the former Afghan government mentioned that “hundreds” of unused vehicles, including Humvees and Black Hawk helicopters, remain in Kandahar warehouses.

While the Taliban has displayed some captured equipment in propaganda videos, their capability to operate and maintain advanced machinery, such as helicopters, is limited due to a lack of trained personnel. However, they effectively utilize simpler equipment, like Humvees and small arms.

Former SIGAR head John Sopko has stated that attempts to reclaim U.S. weapons would be futile, as the cost would exceed their actual value. While it remains uncertain whether Trump will take action, concerns about the spread of weapons and access by militant groups continue to loom large.