Pentagon: Afghan helicopters will not be transferred to the Taliban
A representative of the U.S. Department of Defense, John Kirby, stated that helicopters from the former Afghan army, transferred to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan after the fall of Kabul, will not be handed over to the Taliban. Photo: InternetSource: www.defense.gov At a briefing, in response to a question from an American reporter about what will happen […]
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A representative of the U.S. Department of Defense, John Kirby, stated that helicopters from the former Afghan army, transferred to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan after the fall of Kabul, will not be handed over to the Taliban.
Photo: InternetSource: www.defense.gov
At a briefing, in response to a question from an American reporter about what will happen to the Afghan army helicopters that were transferred to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby stated:
“We are still working on the disposition of these helicopters. I don’t have updated information for you on any decisions regarding how they will be handled, but I think it is safe to assume that they will not be sent back to Afghanistan for use by the Taliban.”
He emphasized that it is still unknown where they will be directed and to whom they will be provided.
On August 15, 2021, former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan, and the Taliban captured Kabul without a fight. On that day, several dozen pilots flew out of the country on approximately 60 Afghan military aircraft and helicopters, landing at Bokhtar Airport in Tajikistan and Termez Airport in Uzbekistan.
On January 12, the head of the Afghan Ministry of Defense, Mullah Mohammad Yakub, called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to return the Afghan helicopters and not to test their patience.
“We respectfully urge the return of the military helicopters and planes that Afghan pilots fled the country on. Do not test our patience; our patience is running out,” stated the head of the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense.
According to Avia.pro, more than 60 military helicopters and aircraft flew out of Afghanistan on August 15. Afghan Air Force pilots transferred at least 26 helicopters and 35 planes to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The military aircraft and helicopters of the Afghan army transferred to neighboring countries consist of: 19 Mi-17 helicopters, 7 UH-60 helicopters, 7 A-29 Tucano attack aircraft, 17 Cessna 209B jets, and 11 Pilatus-12 NG planes.
Photo: Internet