The helicopter with a Taliban flag flying above the crowd of Taliban supporters who gathered in Kandahar to celebrate the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. This was after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images
On Wednesday, Taliban forces displayed captured military equipment in Kandahar.
Photos taken at the event include Humvees and multi-purpose trucks as well as a Black Hawk helicopter.
When it defeated the Afghan army, the Taliban seized an arsenal of weapons and took control of Afghanistan.
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Multiple reports claim that the Taliban held a military parade on Wednesday in Kandahar, showing off American-made weapons for war, which they had seized after the group overran Afghanistan's army.
Taliban fighters flew the white-and-black flag from atop US-made Humvees and multi-purpose trucks.
Parade of Taliban fighters on Humvees, as they parade down a road in celebration of the US pulling all its troops out Afghanistan. This was Kandahar, September 1, 2021 after the Taliban took over the country. JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images
The parade featured not only military vehicles but also what appeared to be captured police cars.
As they parade down a road celebrating the US pulling all its troops out Afghanistan, a group of Taliban fighters are seen standing on an armored vehicle. This was after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images
CNN reported that the group had even had a Black Hawk helicopter captured and decorated with their flag fly above the event.
Supporters gathered in Kandahar to celebrate the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on September 1, 2021, saw a helicopter flying a Taliban flag above them. JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images
After the US forces had left Kabul, Taliban forces entered Hamid Karzai International Airport. They found abandoned aircraft and ground vehicles.
These assets were said to be permanently disabled by the US military, as evidenced by videos posted online.
Taliban fighters are ready to defend Hamid Karzai International airport from militant group. This is in the aftermath of American forces withdrawing from Afghanistan in Kabul on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES via Getty Images
CNN's John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, stated that they could look at them and walk around. They can't fly them. They are unable to operate them."
He reaffirmed remarks made Monday by General Kenneth F. McKenzie (head of US Central Command), that the military had made sure that all military aircraft and ground vehicles were removed from the airport.
Similar video: Many flee Afghanistan as Taliban gains control
While assets at Kabul's airport may not be operational, there are still weapons, military equipment, and vehicles that were seized by the Taliban from the Afghan army. The US spent billions on arming and equipping them. This was evident at Wednesday's victory parade at Kandahar.
Continue the story
Taliban supporters celebrate the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. This was in Kandahar on September 1, 2021, following the Taliban's military overthrow. JAVED TANVEER/AFP via Getty Images
The Biden administration has been criticized for its handling the rapid withdrawal from Afghanistan, including the transfer of US-made weapons to the Taliban. This has been acknowledged by the administration.
Just a few days after the fall in Kabul, Jake Sullivan, the White House national safety advisor stated that "we don't have a complete view, obviously. But certainly a fair amount has fallen into the hands, Taliban."
Similar video: See an Afghan photojournalist fleeing the Taliban
The administration was also criticised for failing to anticipate the fall of the Afghan army and losing strategic positions such as Bagram Air Base. They also failed to act fast enough in order to evacuate US citizens from Afghanistan.
Although the Taliban were able to seize an arsenal of weapons, it is unlikely that all of them will remain operational for very long if they are unable to maintain them properly.
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