Taliban Weapons Loss Fuels Militant Black Market

Approximately half of the nearly one million US-supplied weapons left in Afghanistan after the 2021 withdrawal have been lost, sold, or smuggled, with about 500,000 weapons reportedly reaching militant groups, including those linked to al-Qaeda and Yemen’s Ansarullah movement. United Nations sources and BBC investigations reveal Taliban local commanders retained about 20% of captured US weapons, fueling a black market that was initially open but now operates underground. The Taliban admit to being unable to account for at least half the equipment but officially deny the allegations, insisting all weapons are securely stored. UN reports and independent monitors indicate that groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan have gained access to these arms. US authorities estimate the abandoned arsenals rival the entire US Marine Corps’ inventory, complicating counterterrorism efforts. International observers have called for stricter oversight to prevent further weapons proliferation.