Weapons Left Behind: The Complex Legacy Of Afghanistan

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 left behind military equipment worth around $7 billion, including firearms, armoured vehicles, night-vision goggles, and military communication gear. This equipment has now fallen into the hands of the Taliban, who have been seen parading American weapons through the streets of Afghanistan. The Taliban have also seized more than 300,000 light arms, 26,000 heavy weapons, and around 61,000 military vehicles. The US has no plans to return to Afghanistan to retrieve or destroy the equipment, and there is concern that the Taliban could use the weapons to crush human rights or sell them on the black market.

The Taliban's seizure of US weapons

The US left behind approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan after its withdrawal in 2021, according to a Pentagon report. This included firearms, communications gear, night-vision goggles, armoured vehicles, and even aircraft. The Taliban seized these weapons following the fall of the US-backed Afghan government, giving them a vast war chest.

Videos have emerged of Taliban fighters rejoicing near abandoned American helicopters, carrying US-supplied M24 sniper rifles and M18 assault weapons, and driving US Humvees. The Taliban have also been seen parading through Afghan streets in US armoured vehicles, showcasing their gains to the public.

The seizure of US weapons has had a significant impact on the region. Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir have reported militants trying to annex the region for Pakistan carrying M4s, M16s, and other US-made arms and ammunition. The influx of US weapons has also boosted the military capabilities of the TTP in Pakistan, which has witnessed a surge in violence.

The impact on the Pakistani Taliban

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has seen a boost in its military capabilities since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. The TTP is a separate militant group but an ally of the Afghan Taliban.

When the US withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, it left behind around $7 billion worth of military equipment and weapons, including firearms, communications gear, and armoured vehicles. The Taliban seized these arms following the fall of the Western-backed Afghan government, and some of this American military gear has since been used by armed groups in neighbouring Pakistan.

The Pakistani Taliban's access to sophisticated combat weapons, including M16 machine guns, M4 assault rifles, night-vision goggles, and military communication gear, has had a "terrifying" impact on the lesser-equipped police force in Pakistan. A police officer in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has borne the brunt of the TTP attacks, said:

> "The fact is that they can see us in the dark while we can't. That gives the terrorists an enormous advantage."

The TTP's attacks in Pakistan have surged since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, and there are few signs that the number of attacks will drop. The group has released numerous videos of sniper attacks on security check posts along Pakistan's western border with Afghanistan.

According to the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), a think tank in Islamabad, the number of terrorist attacks in the country increased by 27% last year compared to 2021. At least 419 people were killed, while 734 were injured in 262 terrorist attacks last year.

The Pakistani Taliban has also released statements and video clips in recent months, claiming they possess guns with laser and thermal sighting systems. TTP fighters now target Pakistani troops from a distance, whereas before their only weapons were AK-47 assault rifles.

The Pakistani security forces have vowed to continue fighting militants "to defend our home, children, mosques and places of worship". However, Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said that the US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan is now "emerging as a new challenge" for Islamabad, as it has enhanced the fighting capabilities of the Pakistani Taliban.

The impact on the Kashmir conflict

The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming ownership of the region. The conflict has its roots in the partition of India in 1947, when the British left the region without a clear agreement on how the princely states would be divided. Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region, was ruled by a Hindu monarch who chose to join India. This decision has been a source of tension between India and Pakistan ever since, leading to three wars and several military crises.

The impact of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent influx of US-made weapons into Kashmir is significant. Firstly, it has led to an increase in violence in the region, with militants using these weapons to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians. The weapons have also emboldened militants and given them greater capabilities, raising fears of a broader insurgency in the area. The Indian security forces have also been struggling to counter the threat posed by these weapons, particularly the more advanced US-made weapons such as M4s and M16s.

Secondly, the presence of US-made weapons in Kashmir has geopolitical implications. The conflict in Kashmir is not just a local issue but is closely linked to the broader dynamics of South Asia. The region's proximity to Afghanistan and Pakistan has made it easier for militants to cross borders and access weapons. The influx of US-made weapons has boosted the capabilities of militant groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which are based in Pakistan and have been designated as terrorist organizations by the US. These groups have historical ties to the Taliban and are believed to have fought alongside them in Afghanistan. The weapons obtained from the Taliban are, therefore, likely to strengthen the militants' capabilities and increase the intensity of the conflict.

Thirdly, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has had an ideological impact on the Kashmir conflict. The Taliban's victory has given an ideological boost to radical militants in Kashmir, who now see long-term violence as a path to political gains. This shift in mindset could prolong the conflict and make it more difficult to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Finally, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has broader implications for the region's stability. The Taliban's return to power and their restrictive laws, particularly regarding women's rights, have led to international condemnation and isolation. The economic crisis and humanitarian disasters in Afghanistan have also created a sense of instability in the region. These factors could further exacerbate tensions and make it more challenging to resolve the Kashmir conflict.

The impact on the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)

The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an alliance of militant networks formed in 2007 to unify opposition against the Pakistani military. The TTP is a subset of the Pakistani Taliban, which includes most, but not all, of the Pakistani Taliban groups.

The TTP's acquisition of US weapons left behind in Afghanistan has had a "terrifying" impact on the group's capabilities. The TTP has obtained advanced US weapons and equipment like M16 machine guns, M4 assault rifles, night-vision goggles, and military communication gear.

The TTP's attacks have increased rapidly, expanded geographically, and strategically focused on security forces. The group has introduced modern weaponry, including the sophisticated M24 sniper rifle, M4 carbines with Trijicon ACOG scopes, and the M16A4 rifle with a thermal scope.

The TTP's access to these weapons has had a devastating impact on Pakistan's security forces, particularly the police force, which is less well-equipped than the TTP. A police officer in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has borne the brunt of the TTP attacks, said:

> The fact is that they can see us in the dark while we can't. That gives the terrorists an enormous advantage.

The TTP's attacks in Pakistan have surged since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. The two militant groups are ideological and organisational allies. According to the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, a think tank in Islamabad, the number of terrorist attacks in the country increased by 27% last year compared to 2021. At least 419 people were killed, while 734 were injured in 262 terrorist attacks last year.

The TTP's acquisition of US weapons has also been facilitated by a robust and growing black market in Pakistan. Pakistani gun owners say the black market has been flooded by US weapons since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The impact on human rights in Afghanistan

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 left behind around $7 billion worth of military equipment and weapons, which fell into the hands of the Taliban. This included firearms, communications gear, and armoured vehicles. The impact of this on human rights in Afghanistan is significant and far-reaching.

Firstly, the Taliban's access to advanced weaponry has emboldened the group to further restrict the rights of women and girls. The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women's freedom of movement, employment, and access to education. Women have been banned from most public spaces and are prohibited from travelling without a male chaperone. The Taliban have also enforced strict dress codes, such as the requirement to wear a burqa or an abaya paired with a niqab in public. These measures have effectively erased women from public life in Afghanistan, with devastating consequences for their economic and social rights.

Secondly, the influx of US weapons has enhanced the Taliban's military capabilities and enabled them to exert greater control over the country. This has resulted in increased human rights abuses, including arbitrary killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions. The Taliban have targeted political opponents, journalists, and human rights activists, creating a climate of fear and intimidation. The group has also carried out public executions and enforced corporal punishment, such as stoning and flogging.

Thirdly, the weapons left behind by the US have contributed to the ongoing conflict and instability in the region. Militant groups in neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan, have obtained US weapons from the Taliban, leading to a surge in terrorist attacks and a deterioration of security. The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, with thousands of Afghan refugees facing forced return or deportation from countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Türkiye.

Finally, the US withdrawal and the subsequent Taliban takeover have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The country's economy has collapsed, and millions of people are facing food insecurity and malnutrition. The lack of access to healthcare and essential services has further worsened the situation, with the UN warning of a devastating impact on the health and well-being of Afghans, particularly women and children.

The impact of the US weapons left behind in Afghanistan has thus been profound and devastating for human rights in the country. The Taliban's access to advanced weaponry has enabled them to exert greater control and impose harsh restrictions, particularly on women and girls. The influx of weapons has also contributed to regional instability and the deterioration of human rights across the region.

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