TRIBUNNEWS.COM – Fighters Taliban angered and felt betrayed upon learning that the US had disabled helicopters and military planes prior to their departure from Kabul.
According to the Daily Mail, US troops demilitarized 73 planes before their departure this week, according to the commander of the US evacuation mission, General Frank McKenzie.
The US left up to 48 planes in the hands of the terror group, although it is not known how many are operational.
Propellers and cannons were removed from planes and helicopters.
While another plane lay with the fuselage directly on the runway, after the wheels were removed so that it could no longer be operated.
Also read: Taliban Appoints Temporary Officials Out of Urgent Needs in Afghanistan
Many planes were built in the 1980s and will require constant service and spare parts to ensure they are airworthy, let alone combat.
However, Taliban apparently expected the Americans to leave the helicopters and planes intact and serviceable, according to an Al Jazeera reporter who visited the airport after the recall.
The reporter said, “When I asked them, ‘why do you think that America would leave everything intact for you?’.”
“They replied, ‘because we believe it is a national asset and we are the government now and this could be very useful for us’.”
He added: “They are disappointed, they are angry, they feel betrayed because all this equipment is damaged beyond repair.”
–
