Akram an intelligence officer under the Taliban government in Afghanistan visits Kabul’s Mujahideen Bazaar every month to purchase weapons and other supplies of his choice. However the weapons available here are not manufactured in Afghanistan. Instead they are remnants of the equipment left behind by the U.S. and its allied forces during their withdrawal.Akram says he is looking for a scope for his rifle. A shopkeeper in the market quotes a price of 16,000 Afghanis ($212) for it.But Akram is hoping for a better deal. He tells the shopkeeper. The same scope is being sold at another shop for 8,000 Afghanis ($106).The United States fought one of the most expensive wars in Afghanistan spending approximately $2.3 trillion over nearly 20 years.
During its withdrawal in 2021, the U.S. military destroyed most of its equipment but despite this an estimated $7 billion worth of weapons and supplies were left behind. It is also worth noting that during his inauguration rally in Washington President Trump warned that if the Taliban did not return the military equipment seized after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 humanitarian aid to Afghanistan would be reduced.
In 2022, a U.S. Department of Defense report estimated that around $7 billion worth of military equipment remained in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. Between 2003 and 2016, the U.S. supplied large amounts of military equipment to Afghan forces who were fighting alongside them. According to a U.S. government accountability report this included.
However Akram the Taliban intelligence officer who is shopping at Mujahideen Bazaar with his fellow officers insists. We don’t need the equipment left by the U.S. When reminded that his rifle is American made he responds Yes it’s American but it’s in my hands now. The Americans can’t use it anymore now we use it. Interestingly the arms and equipment market was not always called Mujahideen Bazaar. In the past it was named after American and Soviet leaders at different times.
Weapons are also repaired in this market but the Taliban did not allow filming of these shops.
However Abdul Quddus a shopkeeper who has been selling Russian and American military equipment here for decades was present to share the story of this market. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, its leader was Leonid Brezhnev. Abdul Quddus says. This market was established during Brezhnev's time which is why it was named Brezhnev Bazaar. But as time passed the Soviet forces withdrew and in 2001, when American and allied forces launched their invasion it was once again time to rename the market. Abdul Quds explains. When America came to Afghanistan in 2001 we named it Bush Bazaar but when they left and the Taliban returned we took down the old sign and named it Mujahedeen Bazaar. Today the market sells the items left behind by the U.S. forces which is why it remains crowded with Taliban fighters. Taliban intelligence officer Akram says. I came here to buy rifle scopes uniforms an d other supplies. He adds. I really like these rifle scopes and I am looking for original ones.
In this market there are also some helmets that were once worn by foreign soldiers but now they are being sold here. Abdul Quddus pointing to the American military helmets says. The soldiers left many of these helmets behind at military bases. If Afghanistan had not been in a state of continuous warfare the traders here might have been involved in different businesses. Abdul Jabbar a trader says. I always wanted to open a women's clothing store but there has always been war in our country. War has been going on here since before my birth.
Now due to these wars business is thriving in Mujahideen Bazaar. Abdul Jabbar adds Mujahideen come here to buy scopes laser lights and other supplies to equip their weapons. We also clean their weapons and sell them the necessary gear.
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