US, Tajikistan working on effective use of Afghan aircraft

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): US may allow Tajikistan to hold on Afghan military aircraft sheltered there following the US withdrawal from Kabul last year in August, according to a media report on Tuesday.

The United States may let Tajikistan hold on to Afghan military aircraft donated by the US that sought shelter in the Central Asian country following the US withdrawal from Kabul last August, Reuters quoted a US military commander as saying.

US-trained Afghan pilots flew dozens of military planes and helicopters to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as they fled the Islamist Taliban who took over the country as foreign forces withdrew.

The Taliban have demanded that the two countries return the aircraft.

US Central Command commander Gen. Michael Kurilla visited Tajikistan over the weekend.

“We are grateful to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan for continuing to secure the aircraft that the Afghan Air Force flew into the country last August,” he said in comments relayed by the US embassy.

“The United States is working with the Tajik government to determine the best way to effectively use and maintain the aircraft,” Kurilla said.

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