Trump says US may seek return of military equipment left in Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump has said Washington may seek to recover military equipment left behind in Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal of American forces under the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, describing it as a “horrible retreat” and claiming that American forces should have removed all military equipment before leaving the country.
“I was going to get out. We were going to get out with dignity and pride. Take 100% of the equipment,” Trump said. He added that while the equipment is now “a little old,” the United States “may get it all back,” calling the issue largely symbolic.
The US Department of Defense estimated in June 2022 that approximately $7.12 billion worth of military equipment remained in Afghanistan following the withdrawal, including aircraft, ground vehicles, and hundreds of thousands of weapons.
Trump’s remarks come as he continues to criticize the Biden administration’s foreign policy, particularly its decision to end America’s nearly two-decade military presence in Afghanistan.
At the time, officials in the Biden administration defended the withdrawal, arguing that much of the equipment had been transferred to the former Afghan government and was later seized after the collapse of the Afghan security forces. Former President Joe Biden also acknowledged that US expectations that Afghan forces would hold off the Islamic Emirate proved to be incorrect.
The remarks also revive a longstanding dispute over the military equipment left in Afghanistan. Previously, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, rejected US calls for the return of the equipment, saying it was considered “war booty” belonging to the Islamic Emirate.
Mujahid also argued that the United States should be held accountable for the consequences of its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan, accusing Washington of causing destruction and preventing the country’s development.
