Taliban accuse U.S. of preventing countries from returning Afghan aircraft

Afghan Air Force had 183 aircraft, 70 of them were taken to neighboring countries during the Taliban advance in 2021

KABUL, Afghanistan – A senior official in the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has accused the U.S. of preventing neighboring countries from returning 70 aircraft to Kabul.

At a press conference, Deputy Defense Minister Mohammad Qassim Farsad said these aircraft were stolen during the collapse of the previous government in 2021.

He said the Taliban government had asked for their return, but neighboring countries were waiting for signals from the U.S.

At the same conference, Taliban Army Chief Fasihuddin Fitrat said attacks by the terrorist group ISIS had dropped to zero.

He said his forces had carried out raids throughout the country last year in which many weapons and ammunition had been seized.

In related news, the Taliban administration is reported to have rebuilt the Afghan Air Force by repairing 70 damaged military aircraft and helicopters.

The Taliban recruited about 40 pilots and technicians who had left the country.

The Afghan Air Force had 183 aircraft under the previous government.

Nearly 70 of them were taken to neighboring countries during the Taliban advance.