Tajikistan and Uzbekistan may get planes from U.S. for fight against terrorism
The United States is negotiating the transfer of 46 Afghan military aircraft to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. In exchange, Washington wants to gain the support of these countries in the fight against terrorists in Afghanistan. Politico reported, citing sources.
These are the planes that the pilots of the Afghan Air Forces delivered to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan after the capture of Kabul by the Taliban. Among them are C-208 aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, Mi-17, Mi-25 and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
The Taliban insist the aircraft are Afghanistan’s property and demand their return.
The authorities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan claim that it is the property of the United States and refuse to return them.
Washington plans to use the planes «as leverage» to gain a foothold in a region where the U.S. military is no longer present, Politico sources said.
The United States intends to provide the governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with several aircraft in exchange for an informal agreement to «deepen security relations» and fight terrorism.
The deal «could include anything from expanding intelligence sharing to deploying troops or aircraft in these countries in the long term.»
For now, it is «most likely» that the agreement will include access to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan’s intelligence on terrorist networks in Afghanistan. Representative of the Department of State did not comment on this information.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August 2021. On July 31, 2022, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda, was killed as a result of a counter-terrorism operation by the U.S. armed forces in Kabul. Washington then announced its readiness to deliver new strikes against terrorists in Afghanistan.
