Taliban Rejects President Trump’s $7 Billion Weapon Demand, Demands More Arms To Combat ISIS-K

The Taliban has rejected a demand from former US President Donald Trump to return military equipment worth $7 billion that the US left behind in Afghanistan during its withdrawal in 2021. Speaking to the media, a Taliban spokesperson emphasized that Afghanistan's ruling group needs these weapons, ammunition, and advanced equipment to combat ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan) rather than returning them to the US.

Photo Credit: PTI

Trump's Threat: No More Aid Without Return

Trump's demand came during a rally where he threatened to cut off all financial assistance to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returned military assets like aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, vehicles, and communications equipment. "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 declared, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Taliban Rejects President Trump's $7 Billion Weapon Demand

Despite Trump's ultimatum, the Taliban has not responded directly to his comments. The spokesperson reiterated the need for more advanced weapons to continue fighting ISIS-K. The US military's withdrawal, which followed a 20-year presence in Afghanistan, left behind military hardware worth billions, which was subsequently taken over by the Taliban when they seized control of the country.

Seeking Diplomatic Relations and Access to Frozen Reserves

While rejecting the demand for the return of military equipment, the Taliban is seeking a fresh start with the US and hopes to gain access to nearly $9 billion in frozen foreign exchange reserves. The Taliban is keen to establish peaceful relations with the US to secure international recognition for its government, which would provide crucial economic support to Afghanistan, which is currently facing a severe financial crisis, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The International Response and Afghanistan's Future

Although some countries, such as China, Russia, and Pakistan, have welcomed Taliban representatives, the administration remains widely unrecognized globally due to its controversial human rights record. China recently became the first country to extend diplomatic recognition to the Taliban, offering them formal diplomatic credentials, as per media reports.

In the meantime, the Taliban continues to face significant challenges, both in terms of international legitimacy and economic stability, as it seeks to rebuild Afghanistan without the aid that once flowed from global institutions.