A Taliban fighter in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley on Sept. 14, 2021, with surplus weapons and ammunition found nearby. (Victor J. Blue/The New York Times)
Indian Express/New York Times: For sale now: US-supplied weapons in Afghan gun shops
The loss of tens of millions of dollars in American-made weapons and gear is yet another costly consequence of the failed, 20-year mission to Afghanistan.
In the chaos of the American military withdrawal and the Taliban takeover this summer, thousands of American-made weapons and tons of military equipment were seized by the militants as government military bases surrendered or were overrun.
With the Taliban in power, more American weapons and military accessories are now being openly sold in shops by Afghan gun dealers who paid government soldiers and Taliban fighters for guns, ammunition and other materiel, according to weapons dealers in Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan.
In interviews, three weapons dealers in Kandahar said that dozens of Afghans have set up weapons shops in Afghanistan’s south, selling American-made pistols, rifles, grenades, binoculars and night-vision goggles.
The equipment was originally provided to the Afghan security forces under a US training and assistance program that cost American taxpayers more than $83 billion through two decades of war.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: My gut tells me these weapons are being sold at a fraction of their cost.
More News On U.S. Weapons For Sale In Afghan Gun Shops
US-supplied Assault Weapons Are Now On Sale At Gun Shops In Afghan Markets -- MSN
U.S.-Made Weapons For Sale in Afghanistan -- National Interest
Afghan Gun Shop Bonanza: US-Supplied Weapons Including .50 Cals Being Sold To Public -- Zero Hedge
3 comments:
From Zero Hedge
"The NY Times report noted that American M4 carbines are going for about $4,000, and at least $1,200 for Beretta M9 handguns, with other NATO-supplied handguns common among Afghan police forces going for about $350. Many of these had been acquired by local gun dealers as the Taliban was gobbling up territory during the rapid US draw down. Desperate Afghan soldiers who hadn't been paid would gain far more than a month's salary by essentially pawning their weapons to local dealers.
Russian-made rocket-propelled grenade launchers are also popping up in local gun shops, for about $1,100, and Kalashnikov rifles - perhaps already long ubiquitous in the region - going for an average of $900."
/Wonder what a Barret .50 caliber rifle is going for.
This one's all on Corn Pop, as he oversaw the actual withdrawl.
but can we believe the NY Times?
those weapons do not come with warantee
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