Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
YAF: Israeli enemy will pay for this crime.
Yemeni Armed Forces: Son of Major General Al-Ghamari martyred alongside him in Israeli aggression.
Yemeni Armed Forces: YAF mourns martyrdom of Chief of the General Staff Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Occupation forces opened machine gun fire toward outskirts of Aitaroun as locals headed for olive harvest.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone drops bomb at outskirts of town of Blida as people head for olive harvest.
Israeli media: Rafah crossing was not opened as planned, and no date has yet been set for the resumption of movement through it.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: There will be no change in diplomatic relations with Israel until it complies with the agreements.
Maduro: We say to the people of the United States that we do not want war in the Caribbean or in South America.
Maduro: The sadists in America believe they can issue orders for the world to follow, that they rule while others must adapt. But the first to know this is false are the American people themselves.

Taliban refuses Trump call to return $7bn US arms, calls them 'spoils'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 2 Mar 2025 21:32
3 Min Read

Taliban has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s renewed demand to return $7 billion in military equipment left in Afghanistan, calling it "spoils of war."

Listen
  • x
  • Taliban military vehicles take part in a military parade to mark the third anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan, in Bagram Air Base in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (AP)
    Taliban military vehicles take part in a military parade to mark the third anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan, in Bagram Air Base in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (AP)

US President Donald Trump has once again called for the return of $7 billion worth of military equipment left in Afghanistan, slamming the Biden administration for what he called a disastrous withdrawal.

Speaking at a political rally, Trump described the situation as “the greatest embarrassment in American history.”

The weapons and vehicles were abandoned during the US military’s exit in 2021, allowing Taliban to seize a vast arsenal, including firearms, military vehicles, drones, and communication systems.

Trump urged the US government to take decisive action, warning that these weapons could pose a global security threat.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed Trump’s statements as unrealistic, asserting that the equipment now belongs to Afghanistan. “The weapons left behind by American forces now belong to our people in Afghanistan,” Mujahid stated. “If anyone wants to take them from us, we will respond using those very weapons.”

Related News

75% of Americans report higher costs despite Trump’s inflation claim

EU goods exports to the US plunge after new tariff agreement

'Spoils of war'

The Taliban movement insists that the military assets are “spoils of war” and that they now serve Afghanistan’s defense needs. Mujahid also emphasized that the group will not negotiate on the matter, making it clear that no foreign power can dictate terms to Afghanistan.

Experts claim that the abandoned weaponry has significantly bolstered the Taliban’s military strength. Some fear that the equipment could be used against neighboring countries, while others worry it may end up in the hands of extremist groups.

Critics argue that the US withdrawal strategy failed to prevent these risks, calling the decision to leave advanced military assets behind reckless. Some officials believe the situation could further destabilize South and Central Asia.

The big picture 

Trump’s remarks have reignited debates over the chaotic US withdrawal. His supporters argue that the abandoned weapons pose a serious threat and blame the Biden administration for failing to secure them.

However, experts note that retrieving the military assets is nearly impossible. Taliban is now in full control of Afghanistan, and with no US military presence in the country, any effort to reclaim the equipment would require direct military action—an unlikely scenario.

The Taliban’s outright rejection of Trump’s demand underscores the long-term consequences of the US exit. While Trump’s call resonates with his base, analysts believe the military assets are now beyond US reach. 

Read next: Afghanistan withdrawal saga continues, WH calls GOP report 'partisan'

  • United States
  • US President Donald Trump
  • Taliban
  • US withdrawal From Afghanistan

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
A person shops at a grocery store in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, September 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Economy

75% of Americans report higher costs despite Trump’s inflation claim

With the government shutdown now in its third week, a sign turns away tourists at the entrance to the Capitol Visitor Center, in Washington, Wednesday, October 15, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Politics

US judge blocks shutdown layoffs amid Trump threats to cut jobs

Bill Ackman speaks about higher education and Harvard University at the twenty-eighth annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on May 6, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
Politics

Bill Ackman donates $1M to anti-Mamdani PAC in NYC mayoral race

Members of the Pentagon press corp carry their belongings out of the Pentagon after turning in their press credentials, on October 15, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
US & Canada

Pentagon journalists vacate workspaces as new restrictions take effect

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS