Saleh: NATO Payments Strengthened the Taliban Financially

Amrullah Saleh, former First Vice President of Afghanistan, has stated that some NATO member countries, during their military presence in Afghanistan, financially bolstered the Taliban by making payments to the group. According to him, these actions were taken to keep foreign forces away from collateral issues and constituted a significant portion of the Taliban’s financial resources.

Saleh, who also previously headed the National Directorate of Security, made these remarks in response to statements by Donald Trump, President of the United States, regarding NATO’s role in the Afghan war. He emphasized that although these payments were ostensibly made to ensure security or prevent conflict, in practice they enhanced the Taliban’s financial capabilities.

Saleh further said that while some countries officially claimed they “do not negotiate with kidnappers” or “do not pay ransoms,” the realities on the ground showed that millions of dollars were indeed paid to the Taliban.

These remarks come amid widespread criticism that the double policies of certain international players contributed to the continuation of the war and ultimately the Taliban’s return to power; policies which, according to critics, imposed heavy costs on the Afghan people without clear accountability.