The Haunting Specter Of Helicopter Executions In Afghanistan

On 30 August 2021, unverified footage was released on Twitter by the Talib Times, which claims to be the official news handle of the Islamic Emirate Afghanistan. The footage shows a man hanging from a US-made UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Taliban was seemingly parading their new air force capabilities, having seized control of the city from the US-backed Afghan government.

The Taliban's use of US helicopters to hang people in public

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 resulted in the group acquiring a significant amount of US military equipment, including helicopters. In the period following the US withdrawal, there were reports and unverified videos circulating on social media that purported to show the Taliban hanging people from American-supplied helicopters in public. These incidents sparked outrage and condemnation, with some calling for accountability from the US government for the equipment left behind.

On August 30, 2021, the Taliban reportedly used a US-made Black Hawk helicopter to publicly hang a civilian above Kandahar, located 309 miles southwest of Kabul. This incident was captured on video and shared on Twitter by various users, including Loud Clown and 1781. The videos sparked shock and outrage, with some specifically calling out President Joe Biden for the role the United States played in supplying the helicopters to the Taliban.

It is important to note that the authenticity of these videos could not be independently verified, and there was some uncertainty about whether the Taliban was "playing around" with the helicopter or actually executing people. However, the incident highlighted the Taliban's access to advanced military equipment left behind by the US and the potential consequences of such weaponry falling into the wrong hands.

The US abandonment of military equipment in Afghanistan during its hasty retreat has been widely criticized. Congressman Jim Banks, a former military sales officer during the Afghanistan War, stated that the US left behind $85 billion worth of equipment, including Black Hawk helicopters. This has led to concerns about the Taliban's increased military capabilities and the potential threat they pose to the region.

The Taliban's acquisition of US helicopters and other military gear has been a source of propaganda for the group, as they have flaunted their new assets in an attempt to project power and strength. They have also been criticized for their lack of regard for human life, as demonstrated by their willingness to use these helicopters for public hangings. The US government and military have faced scrutiny for their role in supplying the equipment and their inability to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Taliban.

The Taliban's access to US military equipment

The US has spent $83 billion on Afghan security forces through training and equipment since 2001. The US gave the Afghan military an estimated $28 billion in weaponry between 2002 and 2017, including guns, rockets, night-vision goggles, and drones. The US also provided the Afghan forces with 208 aircraft between 2003 and 2016, including Black Hawk helicopters, C-130 cargo planes, and MD-530 choppers.

The Taliban's seizure of US military equipment has been described as a "propaganda effort" by extremists, and they have been quick to showcase their gains on social media. Videos and photos posted online show Taliban fighters test-flying captured Black Hawk helicopters, posing with US weapons and equipment, and even hanging people from helicopters.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has left the Taliban with a vast arsenal of weapons and equipment, raising concerns about their potential use against civilians or other militant groups. There are also fears that the Taliban could sell the equipment to rival states such as China or Russia.

While the Taliban may struggle to operate and maintain some of the more advanced aircraft and technology, they have reportedly accessed trained pilots and vehicle operators, either through coercion or by absorbing members of the Afghan National Army. Additionally, the Taliban has received support from other countries, providing them with further access to experienced instructors and vehicle operators.

The US military's inability to retrieve or destroy the abandoned equipment has been described as a failure and a shameful situation. The consequences of this remain to be seen, but it is clear that the Taliban has significantly enhanced its military capabilities through the acquisition of US-supplied weapons and equipment.

The Taliban's use of helicopters as a show of force

In August 2021, unverified footage emerged on Twitter of a man hanging from a US-made UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in Kandahar, a day before the US withdrew from the country. The Taliban also released footage of themselves purportedly flying Black Hawk helicopters over the city. This display was intended to showcase the Taliban's newfound air capabilities and send a message of strength to both the Afghan people and the US.

The Taliban's access to US military aircraft has raised concerns among experts and the general public. There are fears that the Taliban could use these helicopters for public hangings, as shown in the unverified footage from 2021, or other human rights abuses. There are also concerns that the Taliban could sell the aircraft to countries like Russia or China, who could exploit the technology.

However, it is important to note that the Taliban face significant challenges in maintaining and operating these aircraft. They lack the necessary pilots, training, and expertise to utilise them effectively. Additionally, the US has taken steps to prevent the Taliban from fully utilising these aircraft by withholding spare parts and maintenance support.

The Taliban's efforts to rebuild the Afghan Air Force have faced setbacks due to a lack of qualified personnel and training. While they have expressed their intention to develop a functional air force, it is not currently considered a significant threat by regional experts.

The US's supply of helicopters to Afghanistan

The US has supplied Afghanistan with a significant number of helicopters over the years. In the early 2010s, the US purchased a fleet of Mi-17 helicopters, sold by a Russian state-owned arms exporter, for the Afghan government. This decision was met with criticism from US lawmakers who believed that the Pentagon should have chosen an American manufacturer. However, the Defense Department defended their choice, citing the relatively low cost of the Russian helicopters, their suitability for Afghanistan's terrain, and the fact that Afghan pilots were already trained to fly them.

The total number of helicopters supplied by the US to Afghanistan is unclear, but it is known that at least 78 aircraft, worth over $920 million, were left behind when US forces withdrew from the country in 2021. This equipment, which also included vehicles, weapons, and ammunition, ended up in the hands of the Taliban, raising concerns about the new capabilities it would bring to the militant group.

In the aftermath of the US withdrawal, the Taliban released photos of US Black Hawk military helicopters at the Kandahar International Airport, which had been provided to the Afghan National Security Forces. Additionally, the Taliban has also been seen rejoicing near abandoned American helicopters and carrying US-supplied weapons and equipment.

The US has since transferred some of the Mi-17 helicopters that were originally intended for Afghanistan to Ukraine as part of a security package to support their war efforts against Russia. These helicopters are now being used by Ukraine to transport troops, evacuate casualties, and attack Russian targets.

The Taliban's ability to fly captured helicopters

The Taliban's capture of US-made Black Hawk helicopters has been a particular source of embarrassment for the US, with some estimates suggesting that the Taliban now have more Black Hawks than 85% of the world's countries. In August 2021, unverified footage emerged of Taliban members hanging from a Black Hawk over Kandahar, in what was described as a "public show of dominance".

While the full extent of the Taliban's access to US military aircraft is unknown, it is believed that they have captured hundreds of Humvees, artillery, and other equipment, in addition to aircraft. This has led to calls for the US to destroy any remaining equipment in Afghanistan to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Taliban.

However, the utility of captured helicopters for the Taliban is questionable. The Taliban are not known to possess the pilots or technical personnel needed to fly the aircraft, and even if they did, the planes require frequent maintenance and are complicated to fly without extensive training. Additionally, the use of conventional military equipment by the Taliban could make them a target and undermine their goal of maintaining control of Afghanistan.

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