The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has demanded that the United States return seven Black Hawk helicopters recently transferred from Uzbekistan to America.
In a statement released today, Saturday, February 9, the ministry declared that these helicopters belong to Afghanistan, labeling their transfer to the U.S. as “unacceptable.” The statement emphasized that the Afghan people have the right to defend their property and assets, and neighboring countries must respect these rights. The Taliban urged the U.S. to refrain from creating obstacles and to facilitate the return of this equipment to Afghanistan.
Previously, Uzbekistani media had reported that these helicopters, which were flown to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots during the fall of the former Afghan government, were recently handed over to the U.S. during a ceremony at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington, where they were presented as transferred military equipment.
Following the collapse of the previous government in 2021 and the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, several aircraft and helicopters belonging to the Afghan army were flown to neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Taliban have repeatedly called for the return of these helicopters, but both countries have ignored these requests.
