US General on Russia arming the Taliban: 'I'm not refuting that'

Thomson Reuters

KABUL (Reuters) - The head of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan said on Monday he was "not refuting" reports that Russia was providing support, including weapons, to the Taliban.

General John Nicholson was speaking in Kabul during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Asked about reports that Russia was providing a range of help including weapons to the Taliban, who control large areas of Afghanistan, he replied: "Oh no I'm not refuting that."

A senior U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that intelligence showed that Russia was providing monetary and weapons support to the Taliban, specifically weapons such as machine guns.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; editing by Ralph Boulton)

 

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