Afghanistan has once again called for the return of helicopters

Media reports indicate that at the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, attended by diplomats and representatives of international organisations, issues related to lifting bank sanctions and providing aid to those affected by the earthquake in the east of the country were discussed.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi once again urged Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to return the military aircraft on which Afghan soldiers fled the country after the fall of Kabul, this time citing the need for helicopters for humanitarian aid during the earthquake.

We call on those countries that four years ago, after the political events, took part of our helicopters and transported them to neighboring states to return these helicopters to the people of Afghanistan so that they can be used in humanitarian operations, — Muttaqi said.

He also underlined that the sanctions hinder the transfer of financial aid to Afghans abroad and urged the international community to remove the restrictions.

Unfortunately, due to unfair and illegal restrictions imposed on Afghanistan, our compatriots are unable to send aid to the earthquake victims, — he noted.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, voiced concern about the shortage of medical personnel during rescue operations following the earthquake. Muttaqi added that providing long-term assistance to victims remains a priority for the authorities.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan recently denied reports about the intention to return military equipment.

Such reports do not correspond to reality. Uzbekistan’s position remains unchanged, and the news being spread is fake, — said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahror Burkhanov.

Earlier, the Taliban had repeatedly asked Uzbekistan to return the helicopters. Some analysts believed that it would be impossible to obtain helicopters until the Taliban government is recognized by the international community.

As for the helicopters, I’m not sure if the documentation for these helicopters has anything to do with Afghanistan. The second problem is the problem of the Taliban government, which is not recognized by any country, — said former Afghan diplomat Fahim Kohdamani.

In January 2022, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated that aircraft stolen to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan by Afghan military personnel in August 2021 would not be returned to Afghanistan.

Earlier, the Taliban demanded that Uzbekistan return Afghan helicopters. The Defense Minister noted that otherwise, Uzbekistan will face negative consequences.

On August 16, 2021, the Prosecutor General’s Office stated that 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters carrying 585 Afghan armed servicemen had illegally flown into Uzbekistan.

Earlier, it was also reported that some helicopters from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan were returned to the US. At the same time, a significant portion of American aircraft still remains in the republic.