US left weapons to strengthen Afghan forces, says John Kirby

United States National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said weapons were left in Afghanistan as a part of the US policy after departure.

“We left the US weapons with approval from Congress to strengthen the Afghan Army,” John Kirby said in his press briefing on Wednesday.

US National Security Council spokesperson admitted that the weapons they left for the Afghan army were confiscated by the Taliban government after the fall of Kabul.

“Now — and as we have said time and time again, that as the Taliban made advances, those Afghan National Security Forces, many of them decided not to fight but yet to lay down their arms and leave. But the — the arms that you’re talking about — and, again, I can’t verify these specific reports — belong to the Afghan National Security Forces,” the spokesperson continued.

John Kirby further said that Pakistan “continues to face a viable terrorism threat” across the border.

Earlier on Monday, the United States unequivocally called for free and fair elections in Pakistan, emphasizing its commitment to engaging with the leaders chosen by the Pakistani people.

Read more: US denies leaving any weapons in Afghanistan during pullout

“We continue to support free, fair elections in Pakistan and engage with Pakistan on a bilateral basis to discuss our support for free and fair elections,” stated State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller during a press conference.

“As I’ve said before, we don’t take a position when it comes to political parties in Pakistan, and we will engage with the leaders that the Pakistani people select.”