Thread by @CR_Partou

Analysis :

#Afghanistan’s #SmallArms Black Market and its threats for Neighboring Countries

From 2001 till 2021, the #US and its allies have delivered billions of dollars of small arms and weapons to the Afghan National Army.

With the #Taliban overcoming #Afghanistan and capturing the arsenals of the #ANA, the danger of those weapons reaching the black market has been rising. Some of those weapons and kits are much more advanced than Afghanistan’s neighbors.

Here we will talk about the small arms and accessories which have been captured by the Taliban and the samples if they would reach the black market they will play an imminent threat to the security,

much similar to the situation of #Iraq and capturing of the weapons and ammunition by #ISIL back in 2014. Other than the small arms, Afghan Security Forces have also operated a large number of small arms accessories

which were delivered by the #US and its allies that can play an important role in combat and improving military unit capabilities. From the footage and pictures that have been shared on Social Media, small arms samples such as M-16A2/A4 assault rifles, M-4 Carbines, M-249 SAWs,

M-240 GPMGs, 40mm M-203 Grenade launchers, M-24 Sniper SWSs have been captured by the Taliban. Per records 104,000 M-16A2/A4 rifles plus 10,000 M-4 Carbines have been delivered to the Afghan Security Forces and there is no official record for other types.

Among the accessories which were recorded as well are various types of red dots and optical sights which can be attached to Picatinny rails. COMP M2 and M4 red dot sights manufactured by Aimpoint, Trijicon ACOG TA01/31optical sights are such samples of deliveries to the Afghans.

Laser/Infrared aiming laser modules are also accessories that could be found in the Afghan service and if they would be in the hands of militia groups they can be deadly especially throughout night operations.

Such samples are the AN/PEQ-2A, AN/PEQ-15 produced by L3HARRIS, or the M6X produced by Surefire. Finally, at last, we can talk about suppressors, quick detachable suppressors, and their combination with rifles such as M-4 Carbine,

laser modules in the night ops can be an imminent threat especially to infantry that is not equipped well. Suppressors reduce the sound and the heat and the laser module while using night-vision goggles can help the attacking force to overcome the defending force.

Iran’s eastern border with Afghanistan and #Pakistan was usually unsafe and there were clashes between security forces with insurgents that have caused heavy casualties for #Iran|ian forces due to the lack of modern equipment.

Even thinking of if these modern small arms and equipment would be purchased and operated by the insurgents in Eastern #Iran and would be used against Iranian troops would tackle the mind of any commander or expertise.