Trump: US May Reclaim Military Equipment Left in Afghanistan

DID Press: US President Donald Trump has once again criticized the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it a “disaster,” and suggested that Washington could consider reclaiming military equipment left behind in the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of a G7 meeting, Trump said the U.S. administration at the time could have carried out a more “structured withdrawal” without abandoning military assets. He insisted that his own withdrawal plan would have ensured the transfer of all equipment out of Afghanistan.

Trump also raised the possibility of recovering the remaining equipment, saying the move would be largely symbolic but “might still happen.”

He further claimed that the Taliban is seeking improved relations with Washington, describing it as “flattering” the United States. The Taliban has rejected such statements and considers the remaining equipment as “war booty,” while also denying any U.S. return to Bagram airbase.

According to Pentagon reports, around $7 billion worth of military equipment was left in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal, including aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and surveillance systems. The Biden administration has previously stated that much of the equipment belonged to the former Afghan national army.