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US soldiers in Afghanistan in 2012
Photo: GORAN TOMASEVIC/ REUTERS
According to a media report, the United States left military equipment worth around 7 billion US dollars (around 6.6 billion euros) in Afghanistan.
After the chaotic withdrawal of the international armed forces in August 2021, aircraft, vehicles, ammunition, weapons and other equipment fell into the hands of the militant Islamist Taliban, the US broadcaster CNN reported on Wednesday evening.
Many devices supposedly need special maintenance
The information comes from a report commissioned by the US Congress from the Department of Defense.
Between 2005 and August 2021, the US is said to have provided the Western-backed government in Kabul with military equipment worth US$18.6 billion.
However, according to the report, many of the remaining devices require specialized maintenance previously provided by contractors.
Many devices were also made unusable before the deduction.
The militant Islamist Taliban celebrated the withdrawal of NATO troops after almost two decades of resistance as a propaganda victory.
The group has repeatedly published videos in recent months in which its fighters could be seen with modern military equipment and helicopters - previously the militant group had no air force.
After taking power, the Taliban government severely restricted freedom rights, especially for women.
col/dpa
