The Ministry of National Defense of Afghanistan has formally urged the United States to return several helicopters that were seized and transferred to U.S. custody.
In a recent statement, the Afghan authorities expressed their concerns about the handover of seven helicopters originally belonging to Afghanistan that were moved to Uzbekistan during the chaotic transition of power last year.
The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Defense emphasized that these helicopters were taken when officials of the former Afghan administration fled, asserting that their rightful place is in Afghanistan.
The ministry stated that the ongoing transfer of these aircraft to the United States is unacceptable, as the Afghan people have the sovereign right to defend their nation and should have access to their own military resources.
The statement further called on the U.S. government to facilitate the return of the helicopters instead of creating barriers. The Ministry underscored that respect for the rights of the Afghan people should be a priority for neighboring countries and international partners.
This plea follows Uzbekistan’s recent announcement that it had transferred the seven American-made “Black Hawk” helicopters to the U.S. military. These helicopters were reportedly handed over to Tashkent by Afghan officials after the Islamic Emirate seized control of Kabul.
