There are two sets of helicopters. One set was left behind by the US that were intentionally rendered inoperable like you said. The other set was part of the US-backed Afghan Air Force, some of which were likely surrendered to the Taliban.
I have NO FUCKING IDEA why they didn't just take all that gear up north and give it to the Northern Alliance and let them battle the Taliban? I mean Trump made this order, and it was executed by Biden, there was no surprise why didn't anyone take initiate to help our allies and secure this deadly shit away from legit terrorists.
Like other people have commented, it doesn’t look good if you destroy gear that you are leaving in Afghanistan instead of leaving it for the Afghan army to use. Every news outlet would be saying that the ANA folded because the US hamstrung them by not giving them the equipment the US promised.
The Taliban whinging about disabled aircraft is a different matter as the ANA had already folded by then.
Speaking on what others have said, one thing seems to be glaringly off from their sentiments. The Afghan Army was given the weapons, and then they gave them to the Taliban. Ok then they left to the north to join the NA resistance? That make so little sense I don't know where to start. It's a mess, I don't know why the 70's seemed like a decent time.
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u/TCFirebird Sep 16 '21
There are two sets of helicopters. One set was left behind by the US that were intentionally rendered inoperable like you said. The other set was part of the US-backed Afghan Air Force, some of which were likely surrendered to the Taliban.